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Manager and Chief Engineer of the Kowloon-Canton Railway in respect of railway land. In practice, the Commissioner for Resettlement exercises the powers of a Competent Authority only in the Tsuen Wan District, and the District Commissioner does so in the rest of the New Territories. The village you refer to is in the Tai Po District, and I have sent a copy of your question to the District Commissioner, New Territories.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, instead of having a copy sent to the District Commissioner, New Territories, would it not have been simpler if a reply had been obtained from his office before this meeting and a reply given at this meeting?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I think it must be remembered, Sir, that as far as Part II of the Resettlement Ordinance is concerned, particularly in reference to the New Territories, it is outside the province of this Council.
(8) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:
In view of the growing number of dangerous buildings being condemned, will the Chairman inform this Council when legislation will be enacted to permit the occupants of such buildings to apply for resettlement?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
The decisions contained in the White Paper entitled "Review of Policies for Squatter Control, Resettlement and Government Low Cost Housing" entail considerable amendment of the Resettlement Ordinance and Regulations. It is clearly preferable that all the amendments be enacted at one time rather than piecemeal. I forwarded drafting instructions on 17th September and these are now under discussion, but I regret that I am unable, at this stage, to give any indication as to how quickly the new legislation can be enacted.
DR. LEE:- Mr. Chairman, in view of the urgency of the matter in respect to occupants of condemned buildings, is it possible for the Commissioner to say in terms of weeks, months or years, how long it will take for the legislation to be enacted?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Mr. Chairman, both the Colonial Secretariat and I are very well aware of the urgency of this matter, but I do not think I can usefully add anything to the reply already given.
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MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, are the drafting instructions now in the hands of the Secretariat or in the Legal Department?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Both, Sir, as a matter of fact. I understand the matter is still under discussion.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, does the Commissioner for Resettlement know whether the Secretariat is giving attention to this as a matter of priority and urgency?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Yes, certainly they are.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I accept that assurance.
(9) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:
Will the Commissioner for Resettlement indicate which areas are licensed areas and what amenities will be provided to charge permittees $3 permit fee for each month?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
The answer to the first part of the question is that no licensed areas exist at present since legislation is required before they can be established or fees charged. In reply to the previous question, I have indicated the progress made so far towards drafting the necessary legislation.
The answer to the second part of the question is that Government will provide the services which the Working Party recommended for Permitted Areas in paragraph 36 of its report, with the addition of concrete paths, steps and drainage channels where necessary. In brief, the Working Party recommended:
(a) such sanitation facilities as are already provided by the Urban Services Department in existing areas of tolerated structures;
(b) fresh water supplies, where practicable and necessary;
(c) salt water mains, where practicable;
(d) mass inoculation or vaccination in times of epidemic;
(e) immediate relief work after a natural disaster;
(f) no educational or welfare services other than those which voluntary organizations may provide.
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(to be continued in next response if needed)
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