XN000022-1978-04-14 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1978

CROWN LEASES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978

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A BILL, PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE AS THE CROWN LEASES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, WILL SHORTLY BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE CROWN LEASES ORDINANCE.

THE ORDINANCE, ENACTED IN 1973 TO DEFINE THE TERMS OF RENEWAL OF CERTAIN RENEWABLE CROWN LEASES, PROVIDES FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWAL OF SUCH LEASES AT AN ANNUAL CROWN RENT OF THREE PER CENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY AT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RENEWAL.

THIS CROWN RENT WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED THROUGHOUT THE RENEWED TERM UNLESS THE PROPERTY IS ALTERED OR REDEVELOPED, IN WHICH CASE IT SHOULD INCREASE TO THREE PER CENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THE ALTERED OR REDEVELOPED PROPERTY.

COMMENTING ON THE AMENDING BILL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT" SECRETARIAT SAID: +THE

· OBJECT IS TO CLARIFY THE EXISTING PROVISIONS..

+ IT DOES NOT SEEK TO ALTER THE CROWN RENT DETERMINED UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE BUT INSTEAD EXPRESSLY ELIMINATES THE POSSIBILITY OF DOUBLE ACCOUNTING ON REDEVELOPMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

TRZEGAMENTAS

HE SAID THAT THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO AMEND THE EXISTING LAW TO PREVENT AN AGENT OR OCCUPIER, WHO IS REQUIRED TO PAY CROWN RENT IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, RECOVERING SUCH RENT FROM ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE OWNER OF THE TENEMENT IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE MONEY WAS PAID.

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