TNAG-0560-FCO40-655-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 134

CONFIDENTIAL

For discussion

on 7th January 1975

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XCC(75)3

34

Copy No... of 70

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

HEI LING CHAU

2

HKK 1911

The Leprosy Mission Hong Kong Auxiliary will close down its Leprosy Mission on Hei Ling Chau early in 1975. The island is well wooded and attractive, and the Mission buildings are constructed in an old Chinese style which blends well with the landscape. The island is a rare and valuable asset, and its future use has become a matter of great public interest. For reasons which are explained in paragraphs 5-9, the southern part of the island is being planned for use as an explosives depot to replace the present depot on Green Island. The remainder of the island, however, has not yet been allocated for other uses.

2

Prima facie, there is a strong case for converting the rest of the island into a recreational area for the use of the general public. However, much of the attraction of the island lies in its trees and vegetation, and unfortunately (as experience elsewhere has shown) uncontrolled use of the island by the public would almost certainly lead to their destruction by fire and to the spoiling of the countryside by litter. The buildings on the island require maintenance and manage- ment, if they are not to fall into ruin.

3

The distance of the island from the urban area would make effective fire control almost impossible, and the collection of litter would be difficult. For these reasons, the Secretariat view was that, if the island was to be allocated for recreational purposes, it would have to be under the unified control of a single responsible organisation. Consequently, discussions were conducted with a major welfare organi- sation to see if this could be achieved. During these discussions it became clear that no organisation would be likely to assume the responsibility for managing the island unless the full cost of establishing, maintaining and running it were met by the Government. Any agree- ment on these lines would certainly take a considerable time to negotiate.

4

Meanwhile, another problem has arisen, to which the use of Hei Ling Chau appears to be the only practicable solution. For reasons given later in this memorandum, a site is required immediately for a Drug Addiction Treatment Centre. This memorandum therefore seeks approval for the use of the island for the purposes of:

C.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL

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