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15
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1978
TAX RESPITE FOR MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES URGED
******
+
UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, ASKED FOR TAX RESPITE FOR MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES AND HAS DRAWN ATTENTION TO DEFICIENCIES IN AREAS OF PUBLIC SERVICE WHICH REQUIRE MORE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT OR ACTION.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE TODAY MR. CHEONG-LEEN POINTED OUT THAT SPIRALLING COSTS TO HOME BUYERS AND THE RECENT INCREASES ALLOWED BY GOVERNMENT ON RENTS OF CONTROLLED PREMISES ARE AFFECTING THESE FAMILIES, A GREAT MANY OF WHOM ARE TENANTS AND TAXPAYERS.
MEANWHILE, SIZEABLE AMOUNTS OF MONEY ARE FALLING INTO THE GOVERNMENT COFFERS DERIVED FROM THE SALE OF LAND AT HIGH PRICES.
HE THOUGHT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY COULD WELL AFFORD TO EASE THEIR BURDEN BY INCREASING PERSONAL ALLOWANCES BY BETWEEN $500 TO $1,000 A PERSON WHICH WOULD ALSO HELP THEM TO TIDE OVER THE 5 PER CENT INFLATION THIS YEAR.
HE REFERRED TO THE UNWILLINGNESS OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO REINTRODUCE THE DEPENDENT PARENTS' ALLOWANCE, +DUE EITHER TO A LACK OF APPRECIATION OF THE WIDER NATURE OF THE PROBLEM OR TO SHEER INTELLECTUAL OBSTINACY+, AND URGED HIM TO GIVE IT SYMPATHETIC AND UNBIASED CONSIDERATION.
HE SUGGESTED THAT FOR THE ALLOWANCE, THE TAXPAYER COULD BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT:
* A COPY OF HIS PARENT'S IDENTITY CARD WITH
THE APPLICATION, AND
*
ANY OF THE PARENT'S INCOME SO LONG AS IT DOES NOT REQUIRE A SEPARATE TAX RETURN CAN BE DISREGARDED.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT COMPUTER FACILITIES BE EMPLOYED TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF CLAIMS.
ON HOUSING, MR. CHEONG-LEEN WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HONG KONG TURNING INTO A CITY OF SLUMS+ AND ASKED THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO ENSURE THAT THE MINIMUM STANDARD FOR THE SMALLER FLATS, IN PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT ARE AT LEAST ON A PAR WITH THE STANDARD IN THE NEWER HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES, AND NOT TO ACQUIESE TO LOW STANDARDS IN THE NAME OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT LACK OF PROFESSIONAL HOUSING MANAGEMENT HAS HAMPERED THE ACTIVITY OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNER CORPORATIONS AND SUGGESTED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OR HOUSING SOCIETY COULD LEND A TEAM OF MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL TO THE HOME AFEAILS DEPARTMENT TO GIVE HELP AND ADVICE.
/HE SAID