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CHAIRMAN: -Ladies and gentlemen, this has been sufficiently discussed in my opinion and I would like to move to the next question.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, am I being muzzled? (Laughter).
(13) MR. HENRY WONG asked the following question :-
I understand that the management of the Pak Tin Estate will be taken over by the Housing Authority and priority will be given to the most over-crowded families who are now occupants of the Shek Kip Mei Estate.
(a) Has the department decided on what criterion would these families be given such priority to move into the new estate? And most probably when this exercise would take place?
(b) Would the department also consider giving families of other estates of the same criterion such priority?
(c) How many families would probably be involved in such transfer?
(d) Would over-crowded family business shop tenants in the Shek Kip Mei Estate also be considered in this scheme?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
This Council stands committed to supporting a comprehensive redevelopment scheme for Shek Kip Mei resettlement estate of which:
(a) the reservation of substantial amount of accommodation becoming available at the Pak Tin estate, and
(b) the handing over of Phase II of the Pak Tin estate to the Housing Authority for management,
form part and parcel of the proposals. The ordinary criteria and priorities as obtaining in the resettlement estates will not therefore apply. I am to add that the proposals had the unanimous support in strong terms of the Joint Resettlement Policy and Management Select Committees on 1st October, 1970.
The implied commitment for the resettlement of sitting tenants at Shek Kip Mei likely to be affected, whether temporarily or otherwise, is estimated to be in the order of 11,000 odd families which will, when taking into consideration the effect of more liberal allocation standards advocated/adopted by this Council, tax to the limit accommodation likely to be available at Pak Tin.
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Taking these points into consideration and bearing in mind that this Council's commitment is still subject to the approval of the Government, I regret that I cannot give a definite date at this stage. All I can say is that I hope it will be forthcoming very shortly. Insofar as I am aware the decision to place the management of Pak Tin estate in the hands of the Housing Authority stands unchallenged.
The proposal for dealing with shop tenants affected will be different from those for the domestic tenants. I respectfully submit that it would be premature for me to disclose the details until after the Shek Kip Mei redevelopment scheme has been approved by the Governor in Council.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I ask, with your permission, the Commissioner for Resettlement what the redevelopment scheme consists of in broad outline, whether it is just a question of breaking down walls and having larger rooms or completely demolishing the buildings to improve the environmental conditions of the residents?
CHAIRMAN: -MR. SALES, I would like to table a Committee paper which will show you this in some detail, if that satisfies you.
MR. SALES: You will do so on this occasion? Isn't that paper marked "restricted"?
CHAIRMAN: -It is for your information.
MR. SALES: -Thank you very much and also for the other Members of the Council because I should not be made privy to any information which other Members of the Council might not be given.
CHAIRMAN: -It is a normal Committee paper and I am quite happy to send it to all Members.
MR. SALES: -Thank you very much, Sir.
MRS. ELLIOTT: -Mr. Chairman, in paragraph 3 when the Commissioner refers to "sitting tenant" is he admitting that they haven't space to lie down in Shek Kip Mei?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: I think the term is just a legal term. Is it not, MR. BERNACCHI?
MR. BERNACCHI: -Yes, I confirm it is a legal term.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Isn't it also figurative?
MR. HU: -Mr. Chairman, I am very concerned with regard to the redevelopment of Shek Kip Mei. Has this scheme been submitted to the Governor or not?
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