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(b) Would this problem be partly solved if tenants of less overcrowded rooms willing to remove to Pak Tin were given the opportunity to do so, thus relieving the situation for others on the old estates?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
It is true that some of the overcrowded families in the old estates who were entitled to move to Pak Tin have refused to move. However, the decantation programme has not been held up since the places available have been offered to other less overcrowded families in these estates. As a result, all the rooms reserved for decantation in these estates are now filled.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, you may rule me out of order, but may I ask was it the original intention that Pak Tin should be for decantation for tenants in the three old estates?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Yes.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Then, is it not a fact that a great number of the rooms have been booked for tenants who are not from the older estates, but for "rent in advance" tenants?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Mr. Chairman, I think this question is on the verge of being out of order; I think we are straying from the original question. I think all I can say to-day is that, as Mrs. ELLIOTT is aware, there were a certain number of places reserved for "rent in advance" tenants. The exact figures, I am afraid I cannot give at the moment.
(5) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:-
(a) As applicants for decantation to the popular estates (Ngau Tau Kok, Tsz Wan Shan and Pak Tin) are frequently told that they must wait because the room size required is not available, could the Commissioner state what sized rooms are available?
(b) Which sizes are in short supply on these estates, and when is the shortage likely to be met?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
The situation with regard to decantation to Pak Tin has already been explained in the answer to the previous question.
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In Ngau Tau Kok the majority of the rooms available are small rooms. However the last blocks in this estate are now being filled and most of the rooms are required for urgent clearances. It is possible that there may be rooms available for decantation. If, as is expected, these are small rooms, it is proposed to offer these to large overcrowded families on the basis of two rooms for each family.
Some 518 families have already been moved to Tsz Wan Shan estate since April but the remainder of the accommodation here is also reserved for planned clearances. The majority of rooms available in this estate are standard rooms and it is possible that a small number may still be available for the relief of overcrowding.
The majority of the new accommodation to be completed next year at Tsz Wan Shan and Pak Tin will, it is expected, be made available for the relief of overcrowding.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask if the Commissioner can be a little more specific about what he means by the majority? Will Pak Tin have other tenants besides those requiring decantation?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: Mr. Chairman, the answer to this is that as was agreed at one of the meetings of the Select Committee, the future of Pak Tin, whether it is to be entirely reserved for the relief of overcrowding, is to be discussed and that no decision has yet been taken. I think it is probable that it will be used for that purpose, but, as I say, no decision has yet been taken.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, this is a very popular estate. Pak Tin is very popular and very central, and I would like to ask for the Commissioner's assurance that no "rent in advance" tenants will be able to book rooms in the new part?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Mr. Chairman, I will take a note of Mrs. ELLIOTT's request, but I cannot give an assurance at this stage.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, did the Commissioner not say that Pak Tin was intended for decantation just a few moments ago?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: I was referring to the first phase at that stage. I think perhaps on this point I would like to say that it is the intention that Pak Tin should be reserved for decantation cases, but I cannot make a definite statement that that will be done until the matter has been examined nearer the time.
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