Wednesday, April 25, 1973
DEBATE ON CROWN LEASES BILL RESUMES
Government Urged To Reconsider Crown Rent Formula
Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council today called on the
Government to reconsider the formula for the re-assessment of new Crown rents.
The appeal was made during the resumed debate on the Crown Leases
Bill 1973 in the Legislative Council.
The Unofficials said they were unable to vote in favour of the Bill
as at present drafted.
Addressing the Council, the Senior Unofficial Member, the Hon. P.C. Woo,
said that the Chinese Manufacturers Association of Hong Kong and 575 associations
had joined together to oppose what they regarded as the "unjust and unreasonable
formula" for fixing re-assessed Crown rents.
At their request, he said, the Unofficial Members had listened to
their further representations against proceeding on the present basis.
On behalf of his Unofficial Colleagues, he called upon the Government
to "think again before going ahead on the present basis of renewal."
Mr. Woo recalled that there had been an "unprecedented increase" in
land values since the beginning of 1971.
What the Government should do, he said, was to think of a "completely
different formula which will break away from the relationship between Crown
rents and the extraordinarily high market value of land experienced during
recent years."
Mr. Woo
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.