TNAG-0573-FCO40-706-Monitoring-of-progress-made-on-planning-paper-on-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 123

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On October 8, two days after his Legco speech, the Governor issued a statement reaffirming the Government' intention that housing estate rents should remain low in comparison to that of private rents.

estates.

Fourteen editorials followed in the Press commenting on rents in public housing

ORIENTAL DAILY (October 9) referring to the Governor's remark that housing estate rents would be kept at a low level, said it hoped that rents would be fixed at a level which the people, and not the Government, considered low.

The paper said the Government should give due consideration to those who would face financial problems wher rents for public housing estates were increased.

SING TAO WAN PAO (October 10) said the people who were worried about a rent increase for public housing estates should feel relieved after hearing the Governor's

statement.

The paper said: "We feel that a gradual increase in housing estate rents is reasonable. A drastic increase will not only defeat the purpose of low-cost public housing but will spark off rent increases in private housing, thus affecting the livelihood of the general public."

The Communist HONG KONG COMMERCIAL DAILY (October 8) said that even if it was inevitable to increase rents, the rate of increase should not be too high.

This view was shared by WAH KIU YAT PO (October 6) and HONG KONG TIMES (October 6).

WAH KIU suggested that the rate of increase should be between 20 and 40 per cent, which it thought would be more acceptable to the public.

The paper said any increase would undoubtedly invite criticism and added: “The Government should go about implementing the rent increases step by step, and explain to the public the actual situation and give them enough time to be psychologically prepared for the increases."

HONG KONG TIMES said that the large deficit facing the Housing Authority should be offset but it did not agree that the Government should pass on the burden to

the residents.

WAH KIU MAN PO (October 6) and SING TAO WAN PAO (October 6) said the authorities should consider the financial background of residents living in public housing estates when proposing an increase.