XN000022-1973-06-06 — Page 10

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Wednesday, June 6, 1973

UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT RENT FREEZE

Strong support was voiced today by Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council for the temporary rent freeze imposed on domestic premises not

previously protected.

The Senior Unofficial Member, the Hon. P.C. Woo, said the move would

prevent landlords from demanding excessive rents from their tenants.

The needs of the tenants, he said, had been the main consideration

in the deliberations of the Unofficials when advising on the bill.

Mr. Woo rejected outright recent newspaper allegations that the legislation had been held up by the unofficials and said that this slur

cast on them was "unjustified and far removed from the truth."

He explained that the legislation had needed careful consideration and it had been necessary to ask for additional information regarding the government's intentions as to further long-term measures.

"Obviously, to enact this bill alone without at the same time

announcing government's later intentions would have had a most serious effect

upon development," he said.

While it had been imperative to prevent rents of existing tenancies from rising at an unreasonable rate, he said, it had been equally important to find a formula which would not inhibit further development.

Mr. Woo also defended the introduction of the bill into the Legislative Council without the customary prior notice being given in the Government Gazette.

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