XN000022-1973-06-06 — Page 32

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Wednesday, June 6, 1973

Mr. Cheung noted that previous controls had been imposed so that supply might catch up to demand, and he questioned the government's efforts over the past three-and-a-half years to obtain this objective.

"I regret to find that, apart from providing housing in the public sector, some measures taken by the government have not encouraged supply, and indeed have been counter-productive," he said.

The supply of land to the private sector had been extremely limited and the prices extremely high, he noted, while the government's reasons for "denying" the supply did not satisfy anyone.

He also asked what had happened to negotiations with the military authorities over the release of land at Lyemun Barracks and other places which could be turned to more beneficial social use.

Referring to other aspects of government activity which he found counter-productive, Mr. Cheung said it was "distressing" that over the past three years the Buildings Ordinance Office had "resorted to every stratagem imaginable to stop private enterprise from developing housing sites to the full potential permitted by the law."

He said the basic reason given by that office was that the development legally permissible would lead to a deterioration of the environment.

"But what are our priorities

more and cheaper housing first, or a

better life first?" he asked.

Mr. Cheung also criticised the law relating to town planning which,

he said, was in need of a "drastic overhaul,"

Mr. Cheung supported the Domestic Premises (Tenure and Rent) (Temporary Provisions) Bill 1973 with "the greatest reluctance," and urged the council to carefully consider whether the proposed longer-term measures wore in the public interest.

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