XN000022-1995-04-26 — Page 47

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In addition, the Review of the CSSA scheme currently in hand should be concluded in the first quarter of 1996. The Financial Secretary has agreed to reserve funds to enable some, if not all, of the Review's recommendations to be implemented in the 1996-97 financial year.

The financial needs of the elderly are best addressed by a successful implementation as early as possible of the MPF system and any enhancements of CSSA payments for the elderly which may be recommended in the CSSA Review and which could increase the number of elderly persons entitled to CSSA support. It is the development of these two schemes, rather than the Old Age Allowance scheme which is not targeted at those in need, which will be the best way of meeting the financial needs of elderly persons in the future.

End/Wednesday, April 26, 1995

Letting markets to single operators

Following is a question by the Hon Tam Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

There has been an increasing trend in recent years of the Housing Authority letting entire markets or shopping centres in public housing estates to single operators. As the sublessees at different levels need to make a profit, the costs borne by the direct operators of these markets and shopping centres have in consequence increased substantially, and these are in the end passed on to the consumers. Recently, the direct operators in Kwong Tin Estate in Lam Tin have taken strike action, because they are unable to bear the substantial rises in rent. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

whether the Housing Authority will consider discontinuing the mode of letting markets and shopping centres in housing estates to single operators; and

what measures the Housing Authority will put in place to monitor the situation in housing estates where an entire market or shopping centre has been let to a single operator, in order to prevent the occurrence of similar strike incidents?