XN000022-1978-04-12 — Page 21

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1978

HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978

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THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, WHICH ENABLES THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE CAR PARKS IN ESTATES, AND PARKING PLACES ON RESTRICTED ROADS, AND TO CHARGE PARKING FEES, RECEIVED ITS SECOND READING TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID PARKING CHARGES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THOSE OUTSIDE THE ESTATES AND IN LINE WITH THE OVERALL GOVERNMENT POLICY FOR PARKING FEES.

HE SAID 45 PER CENT OF HONG KONG'S POPULATION WERE LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AT PRESENT. THEREFORE THE RESIDENTS IN THESE ESTATES OUGHT NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS A PRIVILEGED CLASS WHEN IT COMES TO CHARGING PARKING FEES.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SOUGHT THE ASSURANCE FROM THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING THAT THERE WILL BE NO SPECIAL SUBSIDY GIVEN TO ESTATE RESIDENTS AS AGAINST RESIDENTS LIVING OUTSIDE THE ESTATES IN THE PARKING FEES CHARGED.

+1 WOULD FURTHERMORE LIKE TO HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT PARKING FACILITIES FOR ALL HOUSING ESTATES SHOULD BE ON A REALISTIC EASIS AND TO BE NEITHER UNDER-PROVIDED NOR OVER-PROVIDED FOR, + >R. CHEONG-LEEN SAID, POINTING THAT 60 PER CENT OF HONG KONG'S POPULATION WOULD BE LIVING IN HOUSING ESTATES IN ANOTHER 10 YEARS.

IN REPLY, SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. ALAN SCOTT, REASSURED MR. CHEONG-LEEN THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS REALISTIC IN REGARD TO THE PROVISION OF PARKING FACILITIES AND THE DETERMINATION OF PARKING CHARGES ON PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

HE SAID: +LIKE OTHER DEVELOPERS IN HONG KONG, THE AUTHORITY IS REQUIRED TO CONFORM WITH THE TRANSPORT AND PARKING POLICIES OF GOVERNMENT. +

LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL

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THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978 RECEIVED ITS SECOND READING TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL, DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE AMENDED LEGISLATION RECOGNISED THE EXISTENCE AND THE RIGHTS OF THE UNBORN CHILD.

HE ALSO HOPED THAT COUNCILLORS WHO VCTED IN FAVOUR OF THE BILL'S PROVISIONS WILL BEAR THIS IN MIND SHOULD THEY BE ASKED IN THE FUTURE TO RELAX FURTHER OUR PRESENT LAWS GOVERNING ABORTION. +

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