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MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Surely, Sir, he should be agreeable, because these figures are matters for public knowledge.
(5) In the absence of MR. HENRY H. L. Hu, Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:
Can the Chairman confirm that the boat-inhabitants in the Chung Mai area of Aberdeen are to be resettled and, if so, for what purpose is this area being cleared?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
Genuine occupants of red and yellow numbered structures and grounded boats, and also the occupants of un-numbered grounded boats who have Marine licences and have been tabulated by the Marine Department, have already been resettled in Tin Wan and Shek Pai Wan Estates. These total 1,523 people.
2.
3.
All genuine occupants of floating boats who have Marine licences and have been tabulated by the Marine Department will in due course be resettled at Shek Pai Wan. The balance to be resettled is estimated to be about 15,000. This clearance is being carried out as part of a phased programme to implement the approved Outline Development Plan, which shows that Staunton Creek will be reclaimed and used for open space, Government, Institution and Community and Industrial Purposes, for Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the Commissioner for Resettlement, does that mean that only red and yellow numbered structures are being considered?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-So far as structures are concerned, as distinct from floating boats, that is so.
DR. Woo:-Mr. Chairman, for public interest, would the Commissioner explain what is meant by red and yellow numbered structures?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Structures covered by the Squatter Control Survey in 1959 were all given yellow numbers. There was a subsequent Survey in 1964 when new structures that didn't bear yellow numbers, were then given red numbers and became tolerated.
MR. SALES: Sir, may I say how much I deplore this progression towards the red colour. (Laughter).
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MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner another question? In paragraph 2 he deals with genuine occupants of floating boats, and then he says "who have Marine licences". Does that mean that an occupant of a boat who had failed to have a current Marine licence will be excluded from any resettlement?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:--The tabulation was done by the Marine Department. The tabulation of floating boats at Staunton Creek was done, I think, a little over a year ago, and as far as I am aware, any boat whose occupants were tabulated would, in fact, be a licensed boat. I do not think that the Marine Department would tabulate, for example, a boat bearing a licence of some other administration other than that of Hong Kong.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, in this connexion, is there a time schedule for the resettling of the balance of 15,000 as well as for the commencing of the reclamation of Staunton Creek?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Yes, the speed of the clearance is, of course, determined by the completion of the blocks at Shek Pai Wan Estate. The actual phasing of it--which part is done first--is a matter for arrangement between my Department and the Public Works Department, and it is being arranged to suit the convenience of the Public Works Department so that they can get on to whatever part of the Creek is required the soonest. I could add to that because, in fact, part of the reclamation has already started--the site for the Police Station opposite the Aberdeen Industrial School.
(6) In the absence of MR. HENRY H. L. Hu, Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:
Is the Chairman aware that there are about 50 families living in a very dilapidated and unhealthy condition after the flood disaster in June, 1966 at an area situated in Aberdeen Reservoir Road just behind Aberdeen Island Road and below the Shek Pai Wan Resettlement Estate? Would the Chairman inform the Council whether those poor families in the aforesaid area should have priority to be resettled? Could the Chairman also let the Council know when the said Shek Pai Wan Resettlement Estate will be ready for occupation?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
The answer to the first part of the question is that the 24 structures in question are in no worse a condition than those found in any other squatter area. All of them have
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