XN000022-1996-04-03 — Page 71

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New Territories land categorisation

Following is a question by the Hon Lau Wong-fat and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In his reply to my question regarding the categories of land in the New Territories raised at the LegCo sitting on 6 March this year, the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands stated that land lots in the New Territories could be classified into two broad categories, namely old schedule lots and new grant lots. However, as stated in Annex III of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, there are village lots, small houses and similar rural holdings in addition to old schedule lots in the New Territories. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council of all the land categories in the New Territories, as well as the definition of and differences between the three categories of land mentioned above?

Reply:

Mr President,

Land lots in the New Territories, as explained in my reply on 6 March 1996. can be classified into two broad categories, namely old schedule lots and new grant lots, based on the time they were granted. Old schedule lots can be further classified as "building" or "agricultural" land whereas new grant lots can be subdivided into pre- war new grant lots and post-war new grant lots.

The lots in the New Territories can, however, be categorised in a different way depending on the purpose for and the context within which such categorisation is required. With regard to Annex III to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the rent payable to the Government for old schedule lots, village lots, small houses and similar rural holdings will remain unchanged provided that the land in question meets the criteria set out in Annex III.

Under the New Territories Leases (Extension) Ordinance (Cap 150), the above categories of land are explained as follows:

"old schedule lot" means land held under a block lease granted by, or on behalf of the Governor to the persons described in the schedules to those leases:

"village lot" means land granted before the operation of the Small House Policy, for the extension or improvement of an established village: