XN000022-1973-11-28 — Page 11

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Wednesday, November 28, 1973

creation of new machinery for inter-departmental co-ordination and co-

operation in developing the new towns.

The Construction Branch of the Department had 11 professional

and 17 technical posts in April when the new department was set up.

The establishment had now been expanded to 47 professional and 69 technical

pasts. Recruitment was going on satisfactorily and by the end of December

there would be 39 professionals and 27 technicians in post.

Looking ahead, Mr. Lightbody said that the Housing Authority

was conscious that it could not rely on traditional building methods

if it was to achieve its housing target in time, and it was anxious to

ensourage contractors to employ more modern methods involving a mah

greater use of craneage and equipment as well as a certain amount of

pre casting.

He revealed that the British Trade Commission in Hong Kong is now

planning a visit here next spring by a group of British contractors so

they decide for themselves whether they would wish to participate in the

building programme.

Mr. Lightbody said that since the Housing Authority started life

in April this year it had settled down to the task of implementing the

massive housing programme and to managing 51 estates with about 1,700,000

tenants.

It had reviewed management policy in some areas and had introduced

higher income eligibility limits for waiting list applicants to compensate

for the fall in money values.

"This ensures ....