TNAG-0121-FCO40-157-Kowloon-walled-city-and-adjoining-areas-1970 — Page 42

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G.F. 323

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of lease holdings, Crown land, major buildings and other uses. This would be a background paper required by members of the policy committee.

Summary of Conclusions

Preliminary Work

29.

(a) A Standing Policy Committee should be set up empowered to

make recommendations on whether an emergency can be exploited and to plan and supervise such exploitation in its initial stages (Draft Terms of Reference attached).

(b) Contingency planning, which should be periodically reviewed

and updated, should cover:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(vii)

Preparation of background papers etc. to provide a common background against which exploitation can be planned. These would include maps of the Walled City with overlays showing major buildings, lease hold, and other relevant lands details and natural divisions within the City; also up-to-date assessments of the attitude of the inhabitants towards Government and development of the area;

The machinery for notifying Defence Branch of emergencies and for convening meetings quickly.

A review of the present plans for developing the area and their modification as necessary;

An examination of possible publicity methods and lines,to be carried out by DIS in consultation with PACS (L);

Preselection of transit areas if possible and periodic situation reports on the availability of resite areas and resettlement accommodation;

An examination of the legal problems of condemnation and demolition of buildings, requisitioning, resumption and occupation of land, and the preparation of any necessary instruments to facilitate early action;

An examination of the possible forms of compensation that might be payable and of how best to secure funds for such a purpose, taking into account any precedents or rulings which are or become relevant;

Principles for Exploitation

30.

(a)

(b)

(c)

The area must be large enough to make a worthwhile presence possible and should be readily accessible;

Areas, when cleared, must first be held against encroachment and then, as quickly as possible, used for a purpose acceptable to the public such as a playground or car park; this purpose need not necessarily be that for which it is ultimately proposed to use the area;

Publicity should be directed to

(i) Building up support for Government action by playing on public apprehension about the safety of buildings

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/or resentment