XN000022-1991-10-30 — Page 13

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991

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WALLED CITY CLEARANCE TO GO AHEAD AS SCHEDULED

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THE WALLED CITY CLEARANCE WILL GO AHEAD AS SCHEDULED AND ALL PHASE I CLEAREES WHO FAIL TO MOVE OUT BY NOVEMBER 27 WILL BE EVICTED, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THE CLEARANCE OPERATION WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN FOUR PHASES. THE DEADLINE FOR THE FIRST PHASE HAS BEEN SET FOR NOVEMBER 27, 1991 AND THE REMAINING THREE PHASES WILL BE CLEARED BY MARCH, APRIL AND JUNE 1992 RESPECTIVELY.

THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY IS BEING CLEARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 1987 AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA.

THOSE

MR TSAO STRESSED THAT FIRM ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST CLEAREES WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE DEADLINE FOR THE RESPECTIVE PHASES.

CARRY

OUT THE

"THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALL THE POWER NECESSARY TO CLEARANCE AND ALL DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED INCLUDING THE POLICE WILL TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE THE TARGETS ARE MET," HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT THE CLEARANCE HAD PROGRESSED OVER FOUR YEARS AND THE MAJORITY OF CLEAREES ΤΟ DATE HAD ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT'S COMPENSATION AND REHOUSING OFFERS AND HAD EITHER LEFT OR WOULD LEAVE THE WALLED CITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

"ONLY 457 HOUSEHOLDS OR 4.2 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OF THE 10,782 HOUSEHOLDS TO BE CLEARED UNDER ALL FOUR PHASES HAVE NOT AS YET ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT'S OFFERS," HE SAID.

HOWEVER, MR TSAO POINTED OUT, THAT THERE WAS A SMALL GROUP OF DIFFICULT CLEAREES WHO CONSIDERED THAT THE COMPENSATION WAS INADEQUATE.

"THE GOVERNMENT'S COMPENSATION TERMS ARE VERY REASONABLE," HE

STRESSED.

IN THE CASE OF OWNERS OF PROPERTY, THEY ARE OFFERED COMPENSATION SUFFICIENT TO PURCHASE THE CHEAPEST HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) FLAT IN URBAN KOWLOON AREA AT THE TIME OF OFFER.

CALCULATION IS BASED ON A MODE FLAT OF 23.44 SQUARE METRES IN SIZE, GIVING A COMPENSATION RATE OF ABOUT $390,000. THIS RATE IS FOR THE LAST PHASE. RATES FOR EACH PHASE HAVE BEEN REVIEWED HAVING REGARD TO THE SALE PRICES OF THE HOS FLATS AT THE TIME OF THE OFFER.

BUSINESS OPERATORS ARE PAID COMPENSATION TO COVER THE LOSSES AND COSTS INCURRED IN RELOCATING THEIR OPERATIONS OUTSIDE THE WALLED CITY OR THEIR TOTAL EXTINGUISHMENT.

THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION WHERE A BUSINESS IS EXTINGUISHED BUT THE CLAIMANT HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF PROFITABILITY 19 GENERALLY IN THE REGION OF $340,000 TO $450,000.

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/HOWEVER, IF