XN000022-1977-01-05 — Page 4

-

3

-

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

SINCE SUCH HOUSING UNITS WOULD BE OFFERED ON A NON-PROFIT BASIS, HE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VERY CAREFUL DEFINITION OF THE CATEGORIES OF PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.

+THE FIRST PRIORITY WILL HAVE TO GO TO THOSE FAMILIES LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHOSE INCOMES OVER THE YEARS HAVE RISEN TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAY THEY CAN WITHOUT ANY DIFFICULTY AFFORD COMING UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, HE SAID.

+IN ADOPTING THIS FIRST PRIORITY. GOVERNMENT WILL

BE TAKING STEPS TO REDUCE THE FINANCIAL SUBSIDY IN PUBLIC HOUSING TO THOSE FAMILIES WHO NO LONGER NEED IT, AND AT THE SAME TIME RELEASE MORE PUBLIC HOUSING ACCOMMODATION TO THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN NEED, HE ADDED.

NO CHANGE IN TIME DECISION

****

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION WHICH WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF MAINTAINING HONG KONG STANDARD TIME (GMT+8) THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER OF 1977, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD THEN TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE MATTER TO SEE WHAT PERMANENT ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE.

+THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS SHORTLY TO BE CONSULTED ON THE LEGISLATION AND IF IT IS AGREED THEN THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEBATE THE ISSUE IN THIS COUNCIL, HE ADDED.