TNAG-0523-FCO40-618-Visits-of-members-of-Urban-Council-from-Hong-Kong--to-UK-1975 — Page 32

HOUSING

At the time when the Urban Council was given financial autonomy

I presume it was Government's intention to give the Urban Council as little power

as possible. This might be good at that time but in view of the movement for an

elected legislative Council and the following considerations, I think that the

housing should be brought back to the Urban Council:-

1.

Many of the Committees in the Housing Authority are chaired by

persons who are Urban Councillors and who have long experience in housing.

administration and development.

2.

indication

There is no

to my knowledge that the Urban Council was

not running the Housing Authority as efficiently as the present Housing Authority,

and as a matter of fact, the present Housing Authority adopts the same policies

laid down or suggested by the old authority where all Urban Councillors were

ex-officio members.

3.

There were numerous housing problems coming up to the ward

office attended by the Urban Councillors.

4.

There were problems arising on the administration of hawkers

inside and outside the housing estates.

5.

Problems are created on the administration of playgrounds in

and adjacent to the housing estates.

The re-inclusion of housing under the wings of the Urban Council

may not be as "lousy" an idea as it may be claimed by some housing officials.

The change-back, favoured by all members of the Urban Council without one

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