TNAG-0270-FCO40-306-Policy-on-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 119

CONFIDENTIAL

similar question in the House of Commons on the

subject of housing (the relevant Hansard extract

although

is attached).

number of persons rehoused by the Government

It is worth noting that/the

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and Government aided agencies has more than

doubled (from approximately 750,000 to

approximately 1,700,000) since that question

was asked, the estimated number of squatters

today is only some 74,000 less than the 1963

figure. This situation is indicative of the

size of the problems which have faced the

Hong Kong Government in this sphere it is

(omtrolled

ن سیاسی ما ما

due to continued immigration over the years,

to the high birth rate (which is now falling)

and to movement out of overcrowded pre-war

tenements in the hope of qualifying for re-

settlement.

6. A separate note is attached which gives

some factual background information about the

housing problems and the course adopted by the

Hong Kong authorities to deal with them.

The information in that note may be freely used

if required.

Constitutional Impro vements

General

6. Hong Kong is a Crown Colony and under its

constitution there is no elected representation elected, the Executive &

on the Central Councils of Government. This has

given rise to difficulties in the administration

The Colony's

of such a highly complex and sophisticated

community as resides in the Coleny. However,

there can be no constitutional progressien

towards self-government in Hong Kong since

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Legislative Councils)

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