CHAPTER 4
CLEARANCE OF SQUATTERS
22. Most unleased Crown land in the urban areas capable of development is occupied, mainly by domestic squatters, small factories, workshops, shops or small farms. When this land is required for development, the Resettlement Department is responsible for clearing it of all structures and cultivation, and for rehousing all eligible persons.
23. When a clearance application is received (either from the Director of Lands & Survey in the urban areas or from a District Officer in the New Territories) a discreet check is made of the area to be cleared. The size of the clearance problem is determined and its priority and timing fixed.
24. The highest priority is given to land required for Government housing estates, partly on social grounds and partly because other forms of land development would be impossible if there were no housing estates in which to rehouse the squatters occupying the land. Water schemes, schools, hospitals and other public buildings or works are the next priority, and account is also taken of land required for private, commercial, residential, and industrial development in accord- ance with approved town plans.
25. Before clearance can be carried out, any private land involved must be resumed, any valid land occupation permit cancelled and compensation assessed. Moving house is a considerable upheaval and ample time is allowed for sorting out such personal problems as finding new jobs and schools. The timing of a clearance is also dependent upon the availability of accommodation in a suitable public housing estate for the squatters to be rehoused. They are normally moved to the nearest available estate, but this may often be a considerable distance from the site to be cleared.
26. A successful clearance can only be done with the co-operation of the squatters, and this is secured through frequent personal contact with them by the clearance staff. To ensure that only genuine residents of the area to be cleared are rehoused, a first survey is conducted to number all structures and record the approximate details of the families living in them. Notices are posted to warn anyone moving in after
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