XN000022-1972-12-14 — Page 12

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Thursday, December 14, 1972

The spokesman said that even without any rebate, the rents for Pak

Tin shops were very reasonable.

"The rent rebates only reflect Government's sincere wish to help

the Shek Kip Mei shopkeepers re-establish themselves at Pak Tin during the

initial period", he said.

Shop tenants not wishing to take up the reprovisioning offer may

apply for ex-gratia compensation which will be fixed at the same rates as

those applying to shopkeepers cleared from squatter areas.

The scale of compensation will be:- $8,100 for a half-bay shop of

120 sq. ft., $11,700 for a full-bay shop of 240 sq. ft. and $18,900 for a

two-bay shop of 480 sq. ft.

Compensation

The spokesman said this would provide an alternative to those shop

tenants who may prefer to wind up their business and get a lump sum of

compensation as well as a domestic living unit at Pak Tin.

He reiterated that it was impossible and impracticable to allow

the shopkeepers to remain in situ after the redevelopment of Shek Kip Mei Estate.

"We know that even at present quite a number of shops in the old

estate are doing no business and many of them have had to close down. Because

the population in new Shek Kip Mei will be about half of the present population,

business will be likely to be less."

He said this was the main reason why the Resettlement Department was

convinced that their proposals would be beneficial to shopkeepers.

"We are only trying to ensure a reasonable business and a fair return

for every shopkeeper in the new estate", he added.

The department feels sure that shopkeepers will find these new arrangements

much more acceptable.

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