XN000022-1984-10-21 — Page 4

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1984

BY COMPARISON IT COSTS THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT $40 FOR EVERY PATIENT ATTENDING AN OUT-PATIENT CLINIC, AND THE PATIENT WOULD BE PAYING $7 PER VISIT.

A STEADY RISE IN ENROLMENT OVER RECENT YEARS TESTIFIES TO THE GROWING DEMAND FOR THIS INSURANCE-TYPE SCHEME.

+SCHOOL HEADS ARE

URGED TO MAKE THE SCHEME MORE WIDELY KNOWN PUPILS TO JOIN FOR THE IR OWN GOOD.

AND TO ENCOURAGE THE IR

*WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL TO PARTICIPATING DOCTORS WHOSE UNFAILING SUPPORT CONTRIBUTES A VALUABLE COMMUNITY SERVICE AT NOMINAL REWARD, + HE SAID.

LIVING CONDITIONS IMPROVED FOR 43 000 FAMILIES

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AT THE END OF THE 1983-84 FINANCIAL YEAR, 43 000 FAMILIES LIVING AT MARK I AND II ESTATES HAD HAD THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS IMPROVED SINCE THE LAUNCHING OF A REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THESE OLDER ESTATES IN THE EARLY 1970S.

OF THE 240 BLOCKS LOCATED IN THESE ESTATES, 37 HAD BEEN CONVERTED IN SITU TO PROVIDE MORE LIVING SPACE AND SELF-CONTAINED FACILITIES, WHILE 55 HAD BEEN DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BUILDINGS.

DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, ACCORDING TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S 1983-84 ANNUAL REPORT, PLANS WERE IN HAND TO ACCELERATE THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WITH THE AIM OF REDEVELOPING OR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVING ALL REMAINING MARKI AND 11 BLOCKS WITHIN THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS.

DURING THE SAME YEAR A TOTAL OF 13 481 FLATS WERE ALLOCATED TO WAITING LIST APPLICANTS, MOSTLY AT TUEN MUN, TAI PO AND SHA TIN NEW TOWNS. AS AT MARCH 31, 1984 THE NUMBER OF LIVE APPLICATIONS STOOD AT 161 931.

REFERRING TO THE RENT POLICY, THE REPORT STATES THAT IT IS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S POLICY TO KEEP RENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AT REASONABLE LEVELS. AND IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN RENTS AT A LOW LEVEL BECAUSE OF HEAVY GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.

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RENTS ARE REVIEWED ON A BIENNIAL BASIS AND ADJUSTED, HAVING REGARD TO TENANTS' ABILITY TO PAY, ESTATE VALUE IN TERMS OF LOCATION, FACILITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED; AND INCREASES IN MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENTS AND OTHER COSTS.

/THE REPORT