1969

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290 a year. The figure for the last financial year was 73, this comparatively low figure being due to the heavy demand for shops from clearances. If this rate is maintained it will take between three and four years to clear the waiting list.

I should add that this question, as part of the whole question of resettlement shops, is currently under review.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, it says that these persons were originally registered in December 1963. Would the Commissioner agree that some of them, although they were only registered in 1963, have actually waited since about 1958 or 59, ten years at least?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Mr. Chairman, I could not answer that question without research, but it may in fact be true.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, is the Commissioner aware that some of these people have died in the meantime, and many of them are old and some of their families are pretty destitute because they do not know any other kind of work. They cannot get any work because they are only coolies. I wonder if the Commissioner has considered this point about shops for pigbreeders?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I am aware of the difficulties in this question, Mr. Chairman. We are, as I say, considering it. It is a question, of course, of supply and demand.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, I may be anticipating the next question, but would the Commissioner consider putting these people into Pak Tin Estate?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Yes, Mr. Chairman.

MR. HU:- Mr. Chairman, I would ask the Commissioner for Resettlement what is the position of duck-breeders, chicken-breeders and fish-breeders?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I think that is out of order, Mr. Chairman,

CHAIRMAN:- Mr. Hu, we are dealing with pigs at the moment.

MR. HU:- I think, Mr. Chairman, that duck-breeders and cultivators are combined together. I think probably it is not entirely out of order.

CHAIRMAN:- I am sure the Commissioner for Resettlement would be happy to look into the question of ducks and cultivators and let you know.

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COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: It is being looked into at present, but I am afraid I cannot answer Mr. Hu without prior notice of the question.

MR. HU:- Mr. Chairman, I have an extra supplementary. Even if he is a pig-breeder, duck-breeder or chicken-breeder, it does not matter. Now, supposing there is a farmer who is a pig-breeder and a cultivator, who does not know anything except how to cultivate land, would Government consider offering him a piece of land instead of giving him a resettlement shop, or offer him anything?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Mr. Chairman, I believe this is being done to some extent. If a suitable site is available in the New Territories or elsewhere it is possible for him to apply.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, I know that sometimes people are offered a half-bay shop and they accept in order to get it quickly. Could we have some assurance that people are not kept waiting in the hope that they will accept a half instead of a whole shop?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I think I can give that assurance, Mr. Chairman.

(3) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:-

What will be the eligibility conditions for the allocation of shops in the new Pak Tin Estate?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:---

Recommendations for the allocation of shops in Pak Tin Estate will shortly be placed before the Resettlement Policy Select Committee.

MRS. ELLIOTT: Mr. Chairman, could the Commissioner give us some idea of how long "shortly" means?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I hope by the next meeting, Mr. Chairman.

(4)

MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:-

(a) How many empty rooms are there in the Central Estates (Wong Tai Sin, Lo Fu Ngam, Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau)?

(b) Is the decantation of those who are eligible and willing to be decanted, up to date?

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