XN000022-1993-10-27 — Page 29

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993

ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALLOCATED ALMOST 50 HECTARES OF ADDITIONAL LAND IN JUNE THIS YEAR MEET A SHORTFALL OF THAT ORDER IDENTIFIED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

TO

"AS A NEW PRIORITY, THE GOVERNMENT WILL IDENTIFY SUITABLE SITES IN THE URBAN AREA TO HELP THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TACKLE THE HOUSING PROBLEMS OF THE ELDERLY.

"THE GOVERNMENT'S AIM IS TO ENSURE THAT LAND SUPPLY IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IS MAINTAINED AT A HIGH LEVEL, MR EASON SAID.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT ABOUT 236 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

MR

EASON DISPELLED A MISCONCEPTION BY A LEGCO MEMBER THAT THE 50-HECTARE ANNUAL LAND GRANT LIMIT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION RAS CONSTRAINED THE SUPPLY OF LAND FOR HOUSING.

HE SAID THE LAND COMMISSION HAD GENERALLY BEEN SENSITIVE TO THE NEED FOR LAND TO MEET DEMAND IN THE VARIOUS SECTORS AND THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME AGREED EACH YEAR HAD SO FAR EXCEEDED THE 50 HECTARE LIMIT.

IT RANGED FROM 58.4 HECTARES IN 1985/86 TO 164.3 HECTARES LAST YEAR, AND 127.8 HECTARES THIS YEAR.

ON FLOOD CONTROL MR EASON SAID APART FROM A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO REDUCE FLOOD RISKS IN LOW-LYING AREAS, THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING INTO WAYS AND MEANS OF IMPROVING FLOOD FORECASTING AND WARNING CAPABILITIES.

PREPARATORY WORK IS WELL IN HAND FOR THE SHENZHEN RIVER REGULATION PROJECT TO BE UNDERTAKEN JOINTLY WITH THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES. THIS INCLUDES LAND SURVEY, SITE INVESTIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT.

SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IS LIKELY TO BEGIN IN EARLY 1995.

WORK ON THE

ON AIR POLLUTION CAUSED BY CAR EMISSION, MR EASON SAID THE EMISSION STANDARDS FOR PETROL VEHICLES IN HK WERE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD.

THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING SEVERAL OPTIONS TO ABATE AIR POLLUTION FROM DIESEL VEHICLES.

THESE INCLUDE ENCOURAGING A SWITCH FROM DIESEL ENGINES TO PETROL ENGINES FOR SMALLER VEHICLES; ADOPTING MORE STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS FOR LARGER DIESEL VEHICLES; USING LESS POLLUTING DIESEL FUELS,

INTRODUCING ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND ENCOURAGING GREATER USE OF OFF-ROAD TRANSPORTATION.

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