XN000022-1972-10-18 — Page 3

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Wednesday, October 18, 1972

While the search for new sites in the urban areas will continue,

the bulk of the new housing must be provided in the new towns in the New

Territories, if environmental standards are to improve.

"For such a programme to succeed and to be acceptable to the

potential inhabitants two things seem to me to be essential," the Governor said,

First, there must be good communications with the old urban

areas.

Secondly, the housing in the new towns must be accompanied by

a full ration of what is essential to modern life. These include medical

and educational facilities, parks and playgrounds, police stations, markets and

80 on.

Moreover there must be work and sites for private and commercial

development.

The Governor said that apart from this, housing was also needed

for about 30,000 people in the rural areas and smaller towns in the

New Territories.

This will include public housing in places such as Tai O on

Lantau Island where nothing of this sort has ever been done before.

To carry out such a programme a massive administrative and

professional effort will be required. In addition, a high degree of efficiency

will be essential in the planning, construction and management of housing

under the new programme,

Sir Murray pointed out that the different authorities, boards,

organisations and departments operating in this field do "not make the

most efficient use of our resources",

/"Indeed",