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in existing rent restriction legislation is necessary or
Government has leased certain damaged properties
desirable.
d
and is effecting the necessary repairs to enable these buildings to be used for Government purposes, thereby enabling
Every effort is
other buildings at present under requisition to be released to
their owners for use by the general public.
being made to ensure the speedy return of experienced P.W.D. staff and the Stores Department staff is being strengthened.
4. On the other hand I have decided that the committee's
itself purchase and recommendation that Government should import the building materials required for the reconstruction of the Colony is impracticable and undesirable and would hinder the rehabilitation of the various importing firms.
Commercial
firms are able to procure the necessary materials more speedily than Government and I consider it unlikely that materials will be available in quantities too large to be handled through normal trade channels. All possible support is being given to
the necessary priority such firms to assist them to obtain
Information regarding orders
allocations and shipping space.
•
placed is being centralized through the Hong Kong General Chamber
of Commerce.
In cases where Government purchase is the only
means of procuring some material in short supply, the necessary
action will be taken.
of
Building materials in Government's possession surplus to Government's own requirements are being supplied to property owners on demand against repayment. 5. I am of the opinion that a direct subsidy to owners damaged or demolished property is undesirable but have under discussion a tentative scheme for a Government sponsored building society by means of which small property owners wishing to rehabilitate their property or erect new buildings would be granted
I will address you in due course on this financial assistance.
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