XN000022-1993-02-17 — Page 13

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1993

GOVT SUPPORTS OBJECTIVES OF EARTH SUMMIT

THE ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES OF THE EARTH SUMMIT ARE WORTHY OF SUPPORT AND THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DO ITS BEST TO FULFIL THEM.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT, AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR EASON SAID THE SECOND REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH WAS DUE TO BE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR, WOULD PROVIDE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DEMONSTRATE ITS COMMITMENT TO THE CONVENTIONS.

"

"WE ARE NOW ASSESSING THE OVERALL IMPLICATIONS, MR EASON SAID, ADDING THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO CONSULT WIDELY WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION ON HOW A MORE COMPREHENSIVE YET INTEGRATED APPROACH

TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COULD BE ACHIEVED.

IN THE MEANTIME, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY CONSIDER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES AND, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL

PROFILE FOR THE TERRITORY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WORLD WIDE FUND FOR THE NATURE (HK).

0

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MORE PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS FOR ALLOCATION

* * * * *

FLATS

THE

THAT MORE

HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS TAKF MEASURES TO ENSURE CAN BE LET OUT TO WAITING LIST APPLICANTS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID.

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR EASON SAID THESE MEASURES INCLUDED RELEASING FLATS RESERVED FOR COMMITTED CATEGORIES TO THESE APPLICANTS; EXPEDITING THE REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME BY APPOINTING REGIONAL CONSULTANTS AND REDEPLOYING INTERNAL MAINTENANCE RESOURCES; AND STREAMLINING PROCEDURES FOR THE HAND-OVER OF NEWLY COMPLETED FLATS FROM CONTRACTORS.

MR EASON SAID AS A RESULT, THE NUMBER OF VACANT FLATS HAD BEEN REDUCED BY 53 PER CENT IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

AS AT DECEMBER 31, 1992, THERE WERE 16,900 VACANT FLATS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WITH A MAJORITY OF THEM NOT REING READY FOR IMMEDIATE ALLOCATION.

"SOME 36 PER CENT OF THEM WERE RESERVED ΤΟ MEET PLANNED REDEVELOPMENT, CLEARANCE AND MAJOR REPAIRS PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS AND 47 PER CENT WERE UNDER REFURBISHMENT.

THE

то ELIGIBLE

"THE REMAINDER (17 PER CENT) WERE EITHER NOT TAKEN OVER BY ESTATE MANAGEMENT OR WERE ALREADY BEING OFFERED APPLICANTS, HE ADDED.

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