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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-The position is, Mr. Chairman, that the figures quoted in the Housing Board report are based on a previous estimate which was $100 per adult, not per flat. The Public Works Department have since had another look at it, and they have come to the conclusion that it is misleading to speak in terms of actual cost and that the percentage cost will give a much better overall picture of the situation.
MR. BLAKER: —Percentage cost per person or what?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: -Overall cost. If you take, say, a block in its widest sense, a block of Low-Cost Housing costs 14% more than a similar block of Mark VI.
MR. SALES: --May I ask a final supplementary? Does the Government not accept that with rising standards, the need for better management of our housing estates could only be achieved through the Hong Kong Housing Authority rather than the Resettlement Department?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Mr. Chairman, I can only say that Government has not expressed an opinion on the matter, but it is considering the matter.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I did not ask whether the Government was expressing an opinion. I asked whether Government has accepted a fact that the Hong Kong Housing Authority provides a better standard of management than that provided by the Resettlement Department. And, as such, it would be desirable, in the general interest, for the standard of management to be made uniform in all our housing estates.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Mr. Chairman, I think this is getting away a little bit from the original question and will involve all sorts of complications. I don't necessarily agree with Mr. SALES, but I think it would take too long to go into the pros and cons of it.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, our Elected colleagues are not here, I would be quite prepared to sit down and listen to all these complications that the Commissioner for Resettlement mentioned and take whatever time he may require to deal with them.
CHAIRMAN: -As the questions are out of order, Mr. SALES, perhaps this could be done after the meeting.
MR. SALES-At our wine and cheese party?
CHAIRMAN: --If you so wish.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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(7) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
In view of the high cost of conversion of the original Resettlement Blocks to provide better accommodation in order to relieve congestion and reduce densities, will the Government consider demolishing them and rebuilding to the higher standards of the Government Low-Cost Housing Scheme where feasible?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
This proposal is similar to a recommendation made by the Housing Board in its latest report. As Members are aware, the recommendations of the Board are to be considered by the Governor-in-Council, together with the comments of this Council and of the Housing Authority. I cannot therefore anticipate the decision that will be taken on these recommendations. I can say however that a study is now being made by the departments concerned of the detailed implications.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I do not wish to complicate the Commissioner's life for him but could he issue to the Standing Committee of the Council as a Whole, more details on this matter because the question of densities and framing a policy for the Government on Low-Cost Housing is a matter of general interest to all Urban Councillors and not only to the Resettlement Select Committee alone?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Mr. Chairman, the normal procedure in these cases is to consult the Select Committees and this is, of course, being done. When we have reached a stage where we have some positive statements to make, I see no reason why they should not be made to the Standing Committee.
MR. SALES: Thank you.
MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
Will the Government stop building any more Resettlement-type of housing and instead concentrate its resources on the provision of better standard accommodation such as the Government Low-Cost Housing and the Hong Kong Housing Authority estates with properly qualified management? If so, when?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
A similar recommendation has been made by the Housing Board. The position is the same as in the answer to Mr. SALES' previous question.
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