26
Wednesday, October 31, 1973
"Corruption will reduce when greater use is made of Chinese
in government business," he said.
On housing, Mr. Szeto stressed that the only way the target
of housing 1.8 million people in 10 years could be achieved was "through
a three-pronged attack on planning, administration and construction".
He felt there was considerable room for improvement in the
local building industry
particularly in the coming years when it
would need greater capacity and efficiency to cope with the housing
programme and the mass transit system. He also asked for a report on the
result of the Secretary for Housing's recent visit to England in search
of talents and improved methods of construction.
Commenting on conditions in early resettlement estates, he
said many of them "have rapidly deteriorated into a new kind of slums
breeding crimes and generating sociological problems."
He also pointed out that although the new standard of 35 aq.ft.
per person being applied to all public housing was acknowledged by the
public, it was doubtful whether this standard would still be adequate
a decade from now in view of rising standards and expectations.
"Perhaps the new Housing Authority should now broaden its foresight
and consider increasing the present standard to, say, 50 square feet,"
he suggested. This, he believed, would be in line with the Governor's
"to build well",
directive
+
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