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Written Answers
11 FEBRUARY 1977
Kong Governinent to enable small busi- ness men to carry on their trades follow- ing compulsory acquisition of their businesses for the construction of the Mass Transit Railway.
Mr. Luard: As I have explained in answer to another of my hon. Friend's Questions today, businesses are not acquired but compensation is assessed for loss or damage to a business caused by land acquisition.. Where claims are referred to the Land Tribunal because a settlement cannot be reached, the Hong Kong Government, pending adjudication, offer assistance in the form of an advance payment equivalent to its statutory com- pensation offer. Half of this sum is paid on acceptance, and half when vacant possession of the premises has been given. Owners of businesses must be given three month's statutory notice of land acquisi- tion and at least six months' notice of their likely removal date. In practice, longer periods of notice are usually given.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many families and small traders have been evicted to make way for the con- struction of the Mass Transit Railway in Hong Kong to date; and how many families were rehoused.
Mr. Luard: 221 families and 37 busi- nesses have moved from premises acquired in connection with the construc- tion of the, Mass Transit., Railway. Domestic occupants have been offered public housing as well as cash compen- .sation, but in 19 cases they have preferred
to find their own accommodation. addition, 784 families bave moved into public housing and 257 families into temporary accommodation in licensed areas from squatter structures cleared from Crown land for the Mass Transit Railway.
In
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what negotiations take place between the Hong Kong Government and small traders concerning compensation for acquisition of premises for the construc- tion of the Mass Transit Railway before eviction takes place.
Mr. Luard: Every effort is made to settle compensation, or advances of
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Written Answers
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compensation, before removal. Meetings are held between those affected and the staff of the Public Works Department, the Housing Department and/or the Home Affairs Department in order to en- sure that the provisions of the Mass Transit Railway (Land Acquisition and Related Provisions) Ordinance, the pro- cedures for making claims and the details of individual offers of compensation and rehousing are clearly understood.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the final settlement of compensation to tenants of the Tai On Mansions who were evicted to make way for the construction of the Mass Transit Railway in Hong Kong; what was the original offer in each individual case; and which of these tenants have been resettled in their small businesses.
Mr. Luard: The domestic occupants of Tai On Mansion have all accepted public housing and payment of removal expenses at a rate of $HK20 per square foot of area occupied and lower rates for storage space. In total SHK186,244 has been paid to 47 families. The position in respect of the former occupants of business premises in the building is as follows:
(i) Welcome Furniture Company :/
A statutory offer of SHK80,500 was made. Agreement on a higher figure is under- stood to be imminent. The business is operating from a nearby, long-established, branch store.
}
(ii) Very Good Tailors;:{
2. 1.
A statutory offer of: SHK31,150 was made. Agreement has been reach at SHK52,601·44. The owner is continuing in business with his brother who has operated' a tailor's shop elsewhere. in. Kowloon for years.
(iii) Tak Yuen Cafe:
some
A statutory offer of SHK19,500 was made. Agreement has not been reached pending the opening of alternative premises near- by, when the claimant's losses can be more accurately assessed.
(iv) Paramount Photo Services Co.:
A statutory offer of SHK13,807 was made.
Agreement has not been reached.
The owner's claim is likely to be referred to the Lands Tribunal soon. The premises were a showroom for a film developing and processing laboratory operating else- where. It is not known whether alternative premises for the showroom have been found.
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COL. $.58/9
VOL. ....93.
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