TNAG-0317-FCO40-353-Policy-of-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-problem-of-s-1971 — Page 54

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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(Mrs. C. J. SYMONS and Mr. LO Tak-shing left at this point).

The huts are built by the licensees with fire resistant materials on properly formed sites, and fire hydrants and fire lanes are provided in accordance with the advice of the Fire Services Department. Their heights are restricted as a precautionary measure against typhoons. If specific reasons are given to the officer in charge that a hut might be in danger, arrangements would be made for technically qualified officers to inspect it and appropriate safety measures would be taken. However, this very seldom happens, since safety is one of the major factors taken into account when sites for Licensed Areas are selected.

My reply to the second part of this question is that persons in Class II Licensed Areas are not included in the approv- ed priority categories for resettlement and are not told that they will be resettled at any particular date. People in the approved priority categories may be allocated sites in Class I Licensed Areas if suitable resettlement accom- modation is not immediately available, and, if so, they may be given some indication as to when suitable re- settlement accommodation is expected to be available.

My answer to the third part of Mrs. ELLIOTT'S question is included in my reply to the first part, and my answer to the fourth part in my reply to the second part.

MR. PETER C. K. CHAN:-Mr. Chairman, I refer to paragraph 2 of the answer, "in reply to the first part I am to state that drains and surface channels are frequently choked because of the unsatisfactory design of drains and channels making clearing rather difficult". Is this design and the building of drains and channels by the Works Division of the Resettlement Department or by the Public Works Department?

(Mr. Peter P. F. CHAN left at this point).

COMMISSIONER FOR

FOR RESETTLEMENT:-They are built by the licensees themselves.

MR. C. K. CHAN:-Perhaps you know in this respect that Public Works Department assist just a little bit, just minor assistance, in this matter. Perhaps you know the habit?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I have instructed my Works Division staff to assist where necessary.