XN000022-1995-03-01 — Page 5

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Tsuen Wan wooden shack demolished

The wooden shack erected for the second time on the pavement of Market Street, Tsuen Wan, by former residents of the illegal structures on the roofs of Cheuk Ming Building and Tak Yan House was demolished by government staff this (Wednesday) afternoon.

A Government spokesman said: "Unauthorised occupation of Government land by any person is in breach of the Crown Land Ordinance and will not be tolerated. Those responsible are liable to prosecution."

Of the 24 families affected by the clearance exercise which was carried out on December 19 last year, 16 have requested for Government housing assistance.

So far three families have been rehoused in public rental flats and seven in temporary housing units while two families will shortly be offered rehousing in public rental flats.

Meanwhile, one application is being processed and two others have been rejected as the applicants do not fulfil the established criteria for public housing.

The remaining singleton's application for compassionate rehousing is being considered by the Social Welfare Department.

The spokesman stressed that the rehousing offers had been and would be made strictly on the basis of residents' eligibility under the established policy.

"Rehousing arrangements are not results of radical protest actions by some of these residents," he added.

End/Wednesday, March 1, 1995

What the Budget means for you

Members of the public will have the opportunity to speak to the Financial Secretary, Sir Hamish Macleod, about the Budget for the new financial year tomorrow (Thursday), the day immediately after the publication of this important document.

The Financial Secretary will take questions from callers phoning in RTHK Radio 1 and 5's "Talkabout" and Radio 3's "Hongkong Today" programmes from 7.45 to 8.45 am.