HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
accommodation in resettlement estates have been met with reasonable settlement?
(b) Is it feasible that the storage space in a factory or in a shop, should be considered and given compensation or allocation when subject to resettlement?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
(a) This question concerns clearance in an area east of the Walled City which is required for an extension of Tung Tau Resettlement Estate. In the area cleared up to the 28th of last month there were 4 factories and workshops, 14 shops and 117 domestic structures (296 families) of which the status was accepted by the Department. There are of course always a few people who try to obtain shops by hurriedly buying a few goods to display in their hut at the time of screening but shops are only allocated to genuine shopkeepers in accordance with procedure agreed by the Policy Select Committee.
As regards domestic accommodation, the residents who had been living under appalling conditions welcomed the Department's offer of new accommodation. The Department is not concerned with the ownership of illegal structures but only with their occupants. So-called landlords of illegal structures would, in any case, have known that they were not entitled to any compensation.
As regards the factories of which there were 4, no complaints were received as they all benefited from increased space in a modern well-designed factory building within easy access. The clearance of the 14 factories in the adjacent Cottage Area has been temporarily deferred pending consideration of representations put forward on legal grounds by the operators. As regards bona fide shopkeepers, of which there were 14, they were likewise well satisfied with their allocations. There was, however, one pig breeder keeping 30 pigs in his habitation who, having received an allocation of one domestic end-bay room and a one-bay shop, petitioned for a meat shop in lieu. This case was discussed by the Resettlement and Clearance Policy Select Committee and it was decided that there was no justification for such an allocation. In any case meat shops have to be licensed by the Urban Council.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(b) The normal rule is that separate storage space in shops is not taken into account but any doubtful cases are referred to the Policy Select Committee. As regards factories, only working space counts and separate storage space is not assessed. Members will undoubtedly have seen areas of Crown land (the extent of which can vary from day to day) used for temporary storage of goods in the vicinity of squatter and other factories.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:-
(a) Has the relevant Committee of this Council been consulted in regard to the new rates of charges for the car parks under this Council's management before the relevant regulations were issued?
(b) If so, did this Council through the relevant Select Committee approve the increase in fees and if so was it with or without comment?
(c) If with comment, were the views of the Council acceptable to Government or not?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
Government's proposals for the new scale of charges for multi-storey car parks, together with a detailed statement of the economics of car parking, were considered by the Urban Amenities Select Committee in May 1962. After discussion the Committee agreed to the proposed new charges subject to certain points raised by individual Members being pursued with Government. Three were actually brought to the attention of Government. One was accepted and two were not.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- May I ask a supplementary question? When this information was put before the Urban Amenities Select Committee was it for the information of the Committee? I ask this question because it is my understanding that the Committee does not have the responsibility of deciding what car park fees are.
CHAIRMAN:- The proposals were referred to the Committee for comment or views or opinions.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- In other words, what is mentioned in the reply is substantially correct? That the Committee did agree to the figures which were presented by Government?
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