ค
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1977
COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO STUDY LAND PRODUCTION
******
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED A SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY LAND PRODUCTION AND TO IDENTIFY NEW AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT.
THE COMMITTEE IS THE ONE MENTIONED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS SPEECH DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE IS THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. D.J.C. JONES, AND THE MEMBERS INCLUDE THE HON. LI FOOK-WO AND THE HON. LYDIA DUNN, BOTH OF WHOM SPOKE VIGOROUSLY ON INDUSTRIAL LAND IN THE DEBATE. MR. LI IS CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION.
THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON. D. AKERS-JONES- THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. D.G. JEAFFRESON- THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. D.W. MCDONALD, AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. A.T. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMMITTEE REQUIRE IT TO ASSESS PRESENT LAND PRODUCTION, IDENTIFY WHERE NEW LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT COULD BE PRODUCED ON THE MAINLAND, ADVISE ON THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF DEVELOPING THESE AREAS AND FINALLY TO RECOMMEND WHICH AREAS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IN DETAIL. GENERALLY LAND INVOLVING SERIOUS CLEARANCE PROBLEMS IS TO BE AVOIDED AND THE MAIN AREAS PLANNED FOR COUNTRY PARKS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE STUDY.
THE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING VERY SHORTLY AND IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ITS REPORT IN LATE JULY.
13