TNAG-0669-FCO40-818-Policy-on-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 159

G.F. 73A

0000731

From......

Ref.

Tel. No.

Date.....

Assistant Director, West

.in.

IID 4/254/75

3-0502249

7th February 1977.

MEMO

To........

P.R.O. thro' D.D.E.M.

Your ........................ In.

dated

Mr. TONG Cho-ming Flat 319, Block 8

Kwai Shing Estate

You will recall that, recently, the above tenant was

served with a written varning to the effect that if his rent

for the month of January was not paid, the Housing Manager would be left with no alternative to report the case to his leadquarters which could result in lir. TONG's tenancy being terminated (eventually).

2.

You may also recall that much was written in newspapers which appeared very critical of the management's policy in allowing such a threat to be issued one Urban Councillor even wrote to the effect that she would bring T.V. cameras etc. to cover the actual cviction.

3.

In fact, of course, this was a warning letter only, such letters being all too necessary, at Kwai Shing Estate, dua to the political pressures now being exerted on tenants to refrain from paying their rents to support a campaign aimed to bring about rent reduction.

You may be interested to note that tho tenant, himself, has been interviewed at the estate office, whore he was accompanied by his foreman (he is not unemployed) and seen by the Housing Manager and two members of his staff. On being asked, Mr. TONG attributed the arrears of rent to his wife's extraordinary interest in playing mahjong. He claimed that, before moving to Kwai Shing he had moved his dwelling repeatedly in order to separate her from her "cronies". lle requested that, although he is working, special arrangements should be made for him to pay personally, and such arrangements have been made. lo, in fact, paid the rent arrears personally at the interview and conceded that he has no real difficulty in paying the rent required. He does not wish to leave Kwai Shing.

5.

It has been said that the children cannot attend school. In fact, there is, at present, one son at a middle school, one at a primary school, and the youngest will commence school next year.

6.

I have written the above memorandum in letter-type style in order that you may, if you vich, use it as a letter for reply to the press - a photostat of H.M./E.S. II, III's memo to me is attached for information.

NOT RELEASED

cncl.

MADW

c.c. 6159820

8/2/27

Soliolio/on{}

II.M./K.B. II & III

Mis Catal

(D.I. McIntosh)

Assistant Dirċctor, West