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Motion debate on rehousing of rooftop structure occupants
Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Canice Mak, in the motion debate on rehousing of rooftop structure occupants in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
The Secretary for Housing has spoken about the rehousing of the clearees. I will concentrate on the clearance of unauthorised rooftop structures and the proposal to conduct a territory-wide occupation survey of these structures.
Before speaking on the main points contained in the Motion, I would first like to assure Members that our problem of illegal rooftop structures is not getting bigger. That is to say, the problem is being contained. My colleagues in the Buildings Department carry out regular patrols of Hong Kong's buildings. In carrying out these patrols, they pay special attention to building works being constructed or newly completed. Once discovered, priority action will be taken to take down these structures. The department also takes priority action on complaints or reports of new unauthorised building works. It was a common sight some years ago that as soon as an occupation permit had been issued, all kinds of illegal building activities sprang up. We do not see such activities so often now in new buildings. We have successfully put our message across by our action and by our publicity efforts.
Government's prime concern is safety, not just the safety of members of the public, but also the safety of the rooftop occupants themselves. Given the inevitably limited resources available and the large number of rooftop structures, priority enforcement action is taken against unauthorised rooftop structures which:
(a)
(b)
cover the whole roof of a building with only one staircase, thereby obstructing the escape of flat occupiers in the event of a fire;
adversely affect the structural stability of the building, endangering life or property;
(c)
are in unstable and dangerous or dilapidated condition; and
(d)
are being erected or newly completed at time of discovery.