0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
4
(iii) The Security Risk
Any clearance operations in the vicinity of the Walled City might generate some opposition, but it is not expected that implementation of the development plan will create an unacceptable internal security risk. Hitherto the C.P.G. has only shown concern over operations in the Walled City and in the "sensitive zone", i.e. the disputed area on the eastern fringe of the Walled City. Since both of these areas are excluded from the development plan, C.P.G. reaction is unlikely. There should be no clearance operations in the Walled City or the "sensitive zone" which might jeopardise implementation of the development plan. The British Mission in Peking should however be kept informed in advance of any action being taken.
(e) Priorities for Clearance.
Although Area 'A' of the development plan appears most suitable, technically, for immediate clearance, the road widening schemes are more urgent, and, if explained as part of a plan for easing congestion at the Kowloon City Roundabout, are likely to be most acceptable to the public. This could be. important in the event of opposition. Since the widening of Carpenter Road involves clearance of some 190 shops, it will be necessary either to pay compensation in lieu of resettlement or to construct shops in Area 'C' to accommodate those affected. The widening of Tung Tau Tsuen Road should therefore have priority, since it affects only about 30 shops in the existing Tung Tau Cottage resettlement area.
(f) Recommendation.
It is recommended that :
(i)
Clearance of the area on the general lines of the revised "Nunnery Site" development plan should take place subject to (iii) below, as this involves no unacceptable security risk;
(ii) The "sensitive zone" should, for the present,
be treated as part of the Walled City ; (iii) Even with the provision of maximum shop
units in the revised plan, a decision on current proposals for the payment of compensation in lieu of resettling shop owners will be required before clearance can start, except in the case of the Tung Tau Tsuen Road widening plan;
(iv)
Priority for clearance should be given to the road widening schemes, then to Area 'A' of the development plan.
/ Departmental
CONFIDENTIAL
Pag
Pag
0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
5
partmental Action Within the Walled City.
5.
(a)
The 1960 Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations.
A detailed plan gradually to increase Government control over the Kowloon Walled City was recommended by an ad hoc Committee in 1960. The proposals, for two phase action, provided in Phase I for a limited immediate or early increase in departmental action within the Walled City. Phase II, for later action subject to detailed consideration, provided more extensive Guverament control over the Walled City. Action in accordance with Phase I of the ad hoc Committee recommendations proceeded smoothly until 1962, when a squatter survey in the area in connection with a resettlement scheme provoked opposition. This culminated in a C.P.G. protest in January 1963. Thereafter policy remained as in Phase I of the ad hoc Committee recommendations, except that no further squatter surveys were undertaken.
(b) Current and Proposed Departmental Action.
i
(i) Police :- Police activity in the Walled City
Is the same as everywhere else except that certain licensing laws are not enforced. This is not satisfactory from the Police point of view but a change of approach may not be justified and in any case crime and vice are controlled. It is not considered that Police policy in the Walled City has any effect on the Police task elsewhere.
(ii) Fine Services Department :- Normal action is
taken regarding offences discovered as a result of fire, and legislation regarding the storage of dangerous goods is enforced. The Department takes all normal measures to put fires out but I does not carry out preventive measures. But the most significant change, since the 1960 recommendations, has been the development of the Walled City from a fairly typical squatter area to one containing a considerable number of multi-storey buildings. Most of these are
of sub-standard construction and lack any form of fire protection. The lack of access roads makes it impossible to get fire appliances close to many of the buildings. This is particularly dangerous with regard to the schools and although it is considered that no change of Fire Services general policy is practicable, it may be
necessary to take special measures with regard to schools.
:
(iii) Urban Services Department - The U.S.D. provides
daily collection and removal of refuse and of
nightsoil, maintenance of public latrines, removal of the dead, pest control, daily chlorination of wells, investigation of infectious diseases. No food premises are licensed and no health legislation enforced. Residents are generally co-operative in health measures, (e.g. responding well to inoculation campaigns), but the area nonetheless remains a
CONFIDENTIALa
.....
ge 9
ge 9
Pa
Pa
0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
potential focus of diseases whilst it lacks proper paved surfaces, drainage, piped water supply, ventilation and open space.
Labour Department :- The Labour Department enforces legislation regarding the employment of women and young persons and undertakes periodical surveys of factories and industrial premises at intervals of six to twelve months. Factories are tolerated which would not be allowed elsewhere. Action has been contemplated to close down factories engaged in processes where there is serious fire hazard. Closure orders have been made but none has been enforced in recent years.
Education Department: The Education Department neither registers nor inspects regularly schools located within the Walled City, but is prepared to act in any case where a blatant disregard for the safety of school children is brought to light. Schools in the Walled City are unregistrable since it is impossible for their sponsors to obtain the certificate from the Director of Fire Services as required by the Education Ordinance. Sufficient primary school places exist in the immediate vicinity of Kowloon Walled City for children living within and without the Walled City. It is felt that there is room for an exception to be made to the general policy because of the fire risk to schools and that a statement by the Director of Fire Services that he is not in a position to provide reasonable protection would be a useful weapon and should be lput to the Schools Steering Committee in the context of proposals for closing schools. It should be remembered however that many of the schools are left wing run, and there would be opposition to closure.
was
Resettlement Department :- The Resettlement Department does not conduct clearance operations within the Walled City and instructed in July, 1967, to suspend demolition of structures in the "sensitive zone". A considerable number of new illegal structures has been built within the past six months, particularly in the Tung Tsing Road area, and it has been proposed that clearance be resumed. Resettlement Department policy should continue to be one of containing existing squatter or other illegal structures rather than clearance.
(vii) P.W.D. (Buildings Ordinance Office :- and
Crown Lands & Surveys) :- The Buildings Ordinance Office do not take action against illegal structures or extensions to existing buildings. Observations have shown that the methods of construction of many of the new buildings in the Walled City are
CONFIDENTIA Lentary
10
10
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.