TNAG-0317-FCO40-353-Policy-of-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-problem-of-s-1971 — Page 66

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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the management of all resettlement estates in the urban area, but also for the cottage areas. If, by accepting the motion as it stands, we signify that further examination of the management of resettlement estates is called for, are we not in effect saying that we have lost con- fidence in ourselves? Or are we not saying, in another way, that we have failed in a task which has been entrusted to us as a body?

Sir, with these remarks, I am to say that I shall abstain from voting.

MR. A. de O. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, the text of the motion is clear. So, in my opening remarks, in reply to Mr. Paul Tsui who has spoken in a way I did not expect, I would like to draw his attention in fact to the text of the Motion. It does not commit this Council to any specific recommendation to the Government beyond that the Council should consider it in detail, presumably in Standing Committee of the Whole Council. That is the intention. In that Standing Committee, then, Council as a whole could set out the terms of reference the Council might wish to suggest to the Government in order to implement the Motion that has been moved by Mrs. ELLIOTT, seconded by Mr. BERNACCHI.

Sir, whether in this Council or in the Hong Kong Housing Authority, we have all expressed our thoughts on the need for an acceleration of the public housing programme in order to cope with the circumstances as we find them at the present time. There can be no hiding the fact that the conditions as they are today are vastly different from what the position was in 1963 and previously in 1952 before action was taken respectively in 1964 to set up the Working Party and in the early 1950's to set up the Resettlement Department. Therefore, the conditions being now different, evidently Government should take upon itself the responsibility to review the whole range of our housing policy and programme to see whether, in point of fact, we are effectively meet- ing the challenge of the day-in short, whether our housing policy is adequate for the needs of the people. No other body in Hong Kong has accumulated as much experience as the Urban Council has in public housing; so, if the Urban Council has, in Select Committees and in this public meeting, voiced our serious concern about the present situation, then, it seems to me that it would only be wise for the Government to take heed and proceed accordingly. The Urban Council is the pace- maker. Therefore, the great number of questions that have been put today and in recent meetings on the subject of resettlement and housing generally should be proof enough that this Council is very seriously disturbed about the present situation.

Mr. Chairman, there can be no easing up of the Government housing programme, much less can there be any forecasting at this time as I have seen it done, that there will be an end to such activity