XN000022-1972-07-25 — Page 13

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Tuesday, July 25, 1972

HA TSUEN FIRING RANGE

All of the topics relating to the Ha Tsuen Firing Range which are

currently being raised by the Chairman of the Ha Tsuen Rural Committee

are matters for the Government and not for the Army or Services.

The Services use the range in accordance with a government ordnance

and therefore responsibility for matters of public access to, or public

usage of, land within the gazetted area is a subject for the government.

The problems are of long standing. They have been constantly under

review by the Government in consultation with the Army and, in fact, a

possible solution has been under investigation for some months. The Chairman

of the Ha Tsuen Rural District Committee has been kept informed by the

District Officer Yuen Long.

On the topic of compensation payments raised by the Chairman of the

Ha Tsuen Rural District Committee, the families cultivating land within the

range area are regularly in contact with the District Office Yuen Long

on matters related to their livelihood.

It can certainly be confirmed that

the Services constantly are paying compensation for lost crops.

The District Office Yuen Long first acts as the initial contact point

for cultivators wishing to make claims; and second, draws up the claims in

conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and recommends

to the Army the sum which should be paid. Finally the District Office hands

the compensation payments to the cultivators on behalf of the Army.

Normally the Services meet claims within a short time of receiving them

from the District Office Yuen Long. On no occasion that can be recalled has

the Army paid less crop compensation to the range cultivators than the sum

recommended by the District Office.

Release time: 7.00 p.m.