13
Tuesday, July 25, 1972
HA TSUEN FIRING RANGE
All of the topics relating to the Ha Tsuen Firing Range which are
currently being raised by the Chairman of the Ha Tsuen Rural Committee
are matters for the Government and not for the Army or Services.
The Services use the range in accordance with a government ordnance
and therefore responsibility for matters of public access to, or public
usage of, land within the gazetted area is a subject for the government.
The problems are of long standing. They have been constantly under
review by the Government in consultation with the Army and, in fact, a
possible solution has been under investigation for some months. The Chairman
of the Ha Tsuen Rural District Committee has been kept informed by the
District Officer Yuen Long.
On the topic of compensation payments raised by the Chairman of the
Ha Tsuen Rural District Committee, the families cultivating land within the
range area are regularly in contact with the District Office Yuen Long
on matters related to their livelihood.
It can certainly be confirmed that
the Services constantly are paying compensation for lost crops.
The District Office Yuen Long first acts as the initial contact point
for cultivators wishing to make claims; and second, draws up the claims in
conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and recommends
to the Army the sum which should be paid. Finally the District Office hands
the compensation payments to the cultivators on behalf of the Army.
Normally the Services meet claims within a short time of receiving them
from the District Office Yuen Long. On no occasion that can be recalled has
the Army paid less crop compensation to the range cultivators than the sum
recommended by the District Office.
Release time: 7.00 p.m.