XN000022-1973-04-11 — Page 8

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Wednesday, April 11, 1973

Citing an example, Mr. Robson said that if a resumed lot formed

part of an area zoned for open space, the Compensation Board could only take this use into account when assessing the value of the land even though development for commercial or residential purposes might be allowed by

the Crown Lease.

affected.

He pointed out that this obviously bears unfairly on the land owner

Speaking in support of the motion, the District Commissioner, New Territories, the Hon. D.C. Bray, said the question of resumption of land in the New Territories was an extremely sensitive one.

Anxiety

He recalled that when the Bill was published it gave rise to considerable anxiety as it was thought that the Bill emphasised that the

compensation for agricultural land must be assessed without regard to the

development potential of that land.

"The Bill has no bearing on this vexed problem. Nor does the Bill, as some in the New Territories thought, give new powers under the Town Planning Ordinance to resume land," he stressed.

He said the question of compensation had been the subject of

prolonged discussions between himself and the Heung Yee Kuk.

"These discussions stand adjourned, with agreement of the Kuli, pending

the formulation by the Government of specific proposals which will take into account the range of problems discussed with the Kuk," said Mr. Bray.

/In the