TNAG-0121-FCO40-157-Kowloon-walled-city-and-adjoining-areas-1970 — Page 21

0003230 C.F. 323

CONFIDENTIAL

(c)

(a)

- 7 -

rudimentary and quite unsafe. To exercise supervision over buildings would imply Government approval of that which is illegal; but it is recognised that in the event of an actual or imminent collapse a new situation might arise in which it would be difficult for Government to avoid taking preventive action. The Crown Lands Office does not dispose of land inside the Walled City although the whole area is Crown Land. There has been no control exercised or records kept since 1962. Water is supplied by stand pipes placed outside the boundaries of the Walled City and many illegal connections are made; otherwise water is supplied from wells.

(viii) Secretariat for Home Affairs : The City

District Office handles requests from residents of the Walled City in the normal way and within the scope of current policies of other Departments. Residents accept whatever services are provided but do not look for a large scale move by Government to clean up the area and provide facilities.

(ix)

(x)

Medical & Health Department :- The Medical & Health Department do not take action against the unregistered doctors or dentists who operate within the Walled City and are of the opinion that these should continue to be tolerated except in blatant cases involving a risk to life;

:.

Census & Statistics Department: The Census and Statistics Department covers the Walled City in its surveys and the figure of 20,000 residents is felt to be reasonably accurate, although the Walled City itself is not a separate Census Zone.

Possible Re-establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee;

It is considered that re-establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Kowloon Walled City is not necessary to provide guidance to Departments as the existing policy works reasonably well.

Long-Term Planning.

It is considered that the present policy within the Walled City should continue with only one modification, in respect of the fire risk to schools mentioned in sub-para. (b) (ii) above. It is further considered that this status quo should be maintained for an estimated period of five years during which clearance of the undisputed areas will have been completed. It would be desirable however for planning to be started after a period of about 2 years on what course of action should be adopted at the end of the 5-year period.

/ (e)

CONFIDENTIAL

4