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Wednesday, October 18, 1972
"Indeed", he added, "it is apparent that in the past the housing
programme as a whole has suffered from the absence of unified control and
administration."
To give the new programme support and thrust it demands, it is
proposed to make a fresh start with the creation of the new Housing Department.
The Governor added: "Under the proposed new arrangements the
Housing Authority will assume responsibilities which are quite new, colony
wide and of vastly greater financial significance. There will have to be
some adjustment and widening of unofficial membership to reflect this new
situation.
On the other
"Room will also have to be made for officials to be members in order
to achieve the necessary interdepartmental co-ordination.
hand there is obviously a limit to the size of a body that will be capable
of giving the necessary direction with the necessary speed."
However, the Governor emphasised that Urban Councillors should
have the biggest single group in the new authority because of their experience
in housing matters.
"Urban Councillors have done fine work as members of the Housing
Authority of which they and indeed all of us in Hong Kong have every right
to be proud. But in the new situation I do not think it will be practical,
or even appropriate, that all 24 councillors should have places on the
new authority."
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