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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, thank you for proving publicly that the law discriminates against the language of the local people. I shall now revert to my own language and ask question 1.
(a) Many residents of resettlement estates complain that, while they are living at a high density in their rooms, other rooms are being used illegally as store rooms, gambling dens and for illegal subletting. What check is made on the use of rooms, and how often is the check carried out?
(b) Is there any spot-checking to see that individual block officers are carrying out their responsibilities?
(c) Is there any channel of appeal for Block Officers who try to carry out their duties against illegal use of rooms, but are hindered from doing so by threats from gangsters who claim to have support from officialdom?
MR. HENRY H. L. HU:-Mr. Chairman, can I answer in Chinese or-(Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:-You may not. (Laughter).
MR. HU:-Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, in answer to (a), Block Officers are required to patrol their blocks at least twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. Every room and shop is inspected at least once a month, and the findings of these inspections are recorded on a room inspection chart which is checked by the Officer-in-charge of the estate monthly and by other senior officers from time to time. Block Officers are required to report to the Assistant Resettlement Officer in charge of the estate any unusual discoveries made during their rounds.
With regard to part (b), Resettlement Officers and Assistant Resettlement Officers in estates are responsible for close supervision of the block officers to assist them in dealing with difficult cases. In addition, senior officers from Resettlement Department Headquarters visit a different estate each week and make spot inspections of individual blocks.
As for (c), I have been assured by the Commissioner for Resettlement that he is personally prepared to intervene at any time, if there is any real threat from any group or individual claiming whatever support, which actually hinders an officer's effort in carrying out his duties. The Commissioner for Resettlement feels confident that, on an issue such as this, he can count on the support of this Council and the entire government both of which command the respect and enjoy the confidence of the community.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, I have one or two supplementaries. The first one I think is a bit unfair to ask the Chairman of the Management Select Committee. Would it be possible for the Commissioner to answer if paragraph 1 is correct. Would the Commissioner explain why there are so many irregularities of occupation which have gone on for so many years, if these inspections are carried out at least once a month?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Action is taken in every case.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask if, in the third part of the question, it was noticed that I had mentioned that the gangsters sometimes not always--sometimes claim to have support from officialdom. Was this noticed in giving the answer, because it doesn't mention anything about it?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Mr. Chairman, the allegation must be substantiated.
MR. HU:-I think, indirectly, the reply indicates that there is no support from officialdom.
(Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG arrived at this point).
MRS. ELLIOTT:-I won't say anymore, Mr. Chairman, because I don't want to make public the complaints made by some of the officers of this Department.
(2) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:-
(a) Are the results of applications for decantation posted on Resettlement Estate Notice Boards every month?
(b) If the reply to (a) is YES, is the room density of the successful applicant stated on the notice?
(c) Could Ward Councillors be kept informed of these results, including the names and addresses of successful applicants and densities, to enable the Councillors to explain to disappointed applicants?
MR. HENRY H. L. HU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RESETTLEMENT MANAGEMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
Mr. Chairman, the answer to parts (a) and (b) of this question is yes.
The room density of the successful applicant
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