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department give this assistance? If not, in view of the fact that licensees pay a proportion of their fees calculated on staff costs, why not?
(d) Is there any difference in practice affecting domestic resite occupants?
MR. J. P. ASERAPPA, COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT, replied as follows:-
Mr. Chairman, the licence fees charged at Sai Cho Wan Class III Licensed Area were calculated on the basis of recovering the costs to Government of the scheme as a whole. Of these costs, approximately 21% represents the cost of the staff needed to administer the area.
This staff is responsible for the allocation of sites and the enforcement of the licence conditions.
Electricity is not provided in licensed areas though each licensee may, if he wishes, make private arrangements for a supply direct with the power companies. Any such application does not require the endorsement of the department though we are usually consulted on the terms and probable duration of occupation of the area.
If the last part of the question refers to the provision of electricity, the same practice is followed in all licensed areas.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner to inform me whether electricity is laid on in resettlement estates and in transit areas?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Yes, in both cases it is, Mr. Chairman.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, is the Commissioner aware that the electric company does not like dealing with individuals, and in fact refuses to do so in certain cases? Is it not possible for the Resettlement Department to deal with this altogether, seeing that the people are already paying a service charge for the staff?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I am not quite sure what Mrs. ELLIOTT has in mind. As she is aware, there has been correspondence with the power company over this particular area. They've made certain specifications, and we've written to Mrs. ELLIOTT suggesting ways in which we might be able to help.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- If I may clarify, Mr. Chairman, I am aware that the people and the electric company have both asked the Department to negotiate, and I'm aware the Department has refused, simply stating that the electricity can be installed but taking no responsibility. The electric company has had great difficulty in getting these people together, trying to find a way of dealing with it. May I ask the Resettlement Department again if they would do something?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I am not quite sure what more we can do. As I have already explained to Mrs. ELLIOTT—not explained, mentioned—we have been in correspondence over this, and we've indicated in what ways we might be able to help, which include a possible visit to the site area with Mrs. ELLIOTT, and a possible discussion with the people.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, if I may be more specific. I suggest that the Department negotiate, in cases where there is industry especially, for putting up—I think they have to have some kind of power house, I'm not quite sure of the name.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- That we have certainly undertaken to look into, but the question does arise that if this does involve Government in expense, that will have to be reflected in the fees.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, I mentioned about the cost—21% I think, I haven't got the exact figure in dollars, but I think that would come to about $100,000 per year for staff. Can it honestly be said that the people get $100,000 worth of staff service?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Mr. Chairman, I think that Members are aware the question of fees for this area has been discussed—it is fair to say extensively discussed—and it has been agreed that the fees are fair and reasonable. When the fees were discussed all these points were taken into consideration. As I have said in my reply, the administration charges are part of the scheme, and I would say they were an essential part of the scheme and, as such they have to be paid for, out of the fees.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, is it not a fact that when the Committee agreed, and I disagreed, on this point, the Committee Members agreed on the charges they understood that they were going to get the service too?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Mr. Chairman, I can't answer that one I'm afraid.
CHAIRMAN:- I think, Mrs. ELLIOTT, you've made your point more than adequately on this question. I think we must leave it now to the Resettlement Department to decide whether there is anything further they can practically do, which would be profitable.
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