Reply:
(a)
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(b)
It is the practice of the Census and Statistics Department to prepare and publish projections of the size and age-sex structure of the population for a period of 20 years following each census/by-census. The current set of projections was prepared and published in 1992, following the 1991 Population Census.
A new set of population projections will be prepared in early 1997 based on the results of the 1996 Population By-census. Due consideration will be given to recent trends in the migration of the population, e.g. more former emigrants returning and more one-way permit holders from China, in making the new projections.
Over the past few decades, the population of Hong Kong has grown by about one million every ten years. The Government has been responding by undertaking new town, public works and public housing programmes. All these have been carried out within the long term planning framework set by the Territorial Development Strategy.
We are currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the Territorial Development Strategy. The public will be consulted on the findings of the review in mid-1996. Following a decision on the identified strategic growth areas and other proposals in the Strategy, we will carry out detailed planning and development programming to produce land and to provide facilities required to meet the needs of the community.