TNAG-0670-FCO40-819-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-land-in-New-Territories-1977 — Page 26

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XCC(77)55

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Page 4 of 4

34

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find in the resite areas. The introduction of a larger village house for such cases could also lead to demands for an increase in the size of standard village resite houses. The Secretary for the New Territories advised that it is therefore preferable to give recognition of the greater value of the asset by giving cash compensation for the additional value of the structures. It would be impracticable to relate such compensa- tion to the actual costs of each building, which in many cases would not be available and in all cases difficult to obtain. It would, however, be fair and practicable to pay compensation based on current building costs for each cubic foot of building in excess of 8, 720 cubic feet (436 square feet ground area and 20 feet in height) which is the size of a typical old type village house, with a depreciation factor taking account of the condition and age of the building. At current prices the additional amount for a house would range up to $52, 680 (before allowing for depreciation) depending on the size of the house. In the case of Tsing Yi the additional cost for the removal of the villages on the island has been estimated to cost $700,000. Actual payments will be less once depreciation is taken into account.

Summary

10

that:

The Secretary for the New Territories accordingly advises

(a) village removals in the new towns should continue to

be done by negotiation;

(b) removals should continue to be into new houses and

the normal provision should be substantially at the standards set out in Part I of the Annex;

(c) the standards will have to be kept constantly under

review to meet differing circumstances in different villages, and in particular the standards of provision in respect of post-war houses on post-war village building lots will have to be varied as proposed in paragraph 9 and set out in Part II of the Annex.

C.S. 166

Recommendation

11

Honourable Members will be asked to advise whether, subject to the approval of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council of funds, the removal of village houses should continue to be effected in accordance with recommendations in paragraph 10 above.

(The Secretary for the New Territories (Mr D. AKERS-JONES) and the Deputy Secretary for the Environment (Mr G. BARNES) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).

8th July 1977 (ENV 2/5281/40 II)

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