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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
to the problem of overcrowding than the enactment and enforcement of legislation on overcrowding:
(a) Does this mean that the programme for public housing over the next five years will in actual fact solve Hong Kong's overcrowding problem?
(b) If not, will the Chairman inquire whether in order to have a long-term solution to overcrowding in Hong Kong, Government is preparing or would be prepared to draw up a realistic Ten Year Housing Development Programme, covering accommodation to be financed both by private capital and by Government?
(c) Will the Chairman also inquire from Government what is being done or will be done soon to solve the problem of overcrowding among white-collar families, by enabling them to purchase their own flats over at least a ten-year period with the aid of a low-interest loan either from Government or other sources indicated by Government?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
In reply to the first part of the question, at the last Council meeting, following a question by you on Overcrowding, you asked a supplementary question on the same lines. I replied to the effect that with the expansion of the housing programme, it was hoped to ameliorate the housing position over the next five years. I cannot add anything to that.
2. In reply to the second and third parts of the question, this is a matter of Government policy and your inquiries have been forwarded to the Colonial Secretary. For my part, I can only repeat the assurance given to me recently by the Colonial Secretary and conveyed to Members of this Council in a committee paper, that:
"Government is vitally aware of this problem of over-crowding and its danger to health. The Council may also be assured that Government intends to maintain its present high output of public housing and, having regard to its financial and manpower resources and to the continuing need to expand educational, medical, welfare and other facilities, will make every endeavour to see that the supply of public housing is increased.”
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, will it be possible, if after a reply has been received from Government, for that reply to be laid on the table at the next meeting of this Council?
CHAIRMAN:
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
:-I would have no objection to that.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you, Sir.
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MR. SALES--Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary question, with Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's permission? Is there any reason for your omitting to mention the 10-year housing programme of the Hong Kong Housing Authority?
CHAIRMAN:-There was no specific reason.
MR. SALES:—Is Government aware of the need for that programme to be projected even beyond the 10-year period?
CHAIRMAN:-I would like to have notice of that question.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:—
(a) Will the Commissioner for Resettlement please advise how many of the estimated 75,000 persons made homeless by Typhoon "Wanda" (i) qualify for resettlement, and (ii) to what extent they were assisted by way of cash grants, re-siting, etc.?
(b) How many other typhoon victims not qualified for eventual resettlement had appealed to the Resettlement Department either for resettlement or re-site positions? Was any form of aid given to them by the Resettlement Department?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
First of all, I should like to make it clear that the figure of 75,000 referred to the whole Colony and that in any case it would appear to be an exaggeration. The Director of Social Welfare has already pointed out in his letter to the South China Morning Post of 10th September, 1962, that in the aftermath of a disaster on the scale of Wanda, the normal safeguards against mis-representation cannot be strictly applied. Not all of those who registered for free meals were homeless, although it is known that at least 13,000 were given temporary shelter in the urban areas and many more probably stayed with friends or relatives.
2. As regards your (a), I take it that you are inquiring whether such persons are entitled to eventual rather than to immediate resettlement. Such being the case, those who will qualify are recognized squatters and the desired informa-
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