TNAG-0523-FCO40-618-Visits-of-members-of-Urban-Council-from-Hong-Kong--to-UK-1975 — Page 41

brices and a deteriorating stock in the inner city areas. Many people are forced to

travel great distances to work and in some areas as manufacturing industry closes

down or moves out of London people face a decreasing choice of jobs to match the

skills they can offer." (Sir Reg. Goodwin) (See "Housing Strategy" in Appendix E)

When the Urban Council takes back housing, the simplest way

would be to establish one housing select committee which would consist of all the

members of the present housing authority, therefore, the change back involves no

administrative problems.

When the housing select committee is being formed in the Urban

Council, some of the following observations in London should be noted or considered

for possible action.

1.

A housing research unit should be established which will assess the

housing needs of the people of Hong Kong now and in the future, and to evaluate

methods of meeting these needs. In all types of activities, research is always

necessary to establish facts and to measure the effect of policy decisions.

2.

Consideration should be given to assist housing associations or

societies and other agencies to build houses for those people in the low income

brackets. The assistance given may include capital loans, revenue contributions and

professionsl advice.

3.

To acquire land for housing either by public auction or by private

purchase if government cannot make land available for housing purposes.

4.

Consideration should be given to the direct acquisition of housing from

the private sector. In the GLC, it was reported by the Chairman of the Housing

Committee as follows:- "Under our programme for the acquisition of properties from

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