TNAG-0317-FCO40-353-Policy-of-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-problem-of-s-1971 — Page 53

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Yan Yee Village, Hong Ning Road in Kwun Tong, and Kowloon Bay are living?

Is it correct that these squatters were told they would be

resettled in about two years?

What has been done to improve their living conditions and

make them safer?

When are they likely to be resettled?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:

The Licensed Areas referred to in this question are Class II Licensed Areas, excepting that there is a small portion at Kowloon Bay, which has been set aside as a Class I Licensed Area. These Licensed Areas were established in accordance with the provisions of Part VA of the Resettlement Ordinance Cap. 304. The occupants are lawful licensees; they are not squatters.

In reply to the first part of the question, I am to state that I am aware that the internal drains and surface channels are frequently choked by rubbish thrown indiscriminately by the occupants, and the wooden planks placed by some of them across these drains, coupled with the unsatisfac- tory design of certain drains and channels, make clearing rather difficult. Such accumulation of household refuse in the drains and elsewhere do create insanitary con- ditions. The cleansing staff of the Urban Services Department, posted to maintain cleansing and sanitary services, clear these drains twice daily. Adequate com- munal dustbins are provided for the storage of refuse pending collection, but these are seldom used by the occupants. Household refuse is simply disposed of into the drains. I have drawn the attention of the Urban Services Department to this unsatisfactory state of affairs and I understand that appropriate steps are being taken by that department to employ its Health Education Unit and anti-litter squads in educating the occupants in their civic responsibilities.

On my part, I have instructed my Works Division staff to improve the design of the drains and channels and to maintain them in a good state of repair where necessary in order to facilitate the work of the cleansing labourer. I hope the measures adopted will improve conditions generally but, should they prove to be unsuccessful, it would appear there is a case to review the existing man- ning scale of cleansing staff so that the frequency of sweeping in these areas may be increased.