TNAG-0670-FCO40-819-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-land-in-New-Territories-1977 — Page 72

CONFIDENTIAL

(B) IN APRIL 1976, THE KUK WROTE TO THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW

TERRITORIES ON THE SUBJECT OF INCREASES IN RESTAURANT AND

OTHER FOOD LICENCE FEES. A MEETING WAS HELD IN MAY 1976

AT WHICH THE NEED FOR THE FEE INCREASES WAS EXPLAINED AND

DISCUSSED :

(C) THE QUESTION OF PREMIA FOR LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS IS

THE SUBJECT OF REGULAR DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE SECRETARY

AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK. AS A RESULT OF THESE DISCUSSIONS,

MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PREMIUM RATES IN RESPECT

OF LAND EXCHANGES.

·

8. WE THINK THE SHORT ANSWER SHOULD BE NO.

AS REGARDS LAND, ALL CROWN LEASES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES (INCLUDING NEW KOWLOON) EXPIRE 3 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE

NEW TERRITORIES LEASE IN 1997.

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS NOT INVOLVED, BY LOANS OR GUARANTEES, IN ANY SCHEME DUE FOR COMPLETION AFFTER 1997. HOWEVER,

FOR INTERNAL NOTIONAL ACCOUNTING PURPOSES, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON MAJOR WATER SCHEMES IS AMORTIZED OVER A PERIOD OF 50 YEARS.

PUBLIC HOUSING IS DEPRECIATED IN THE ACCOUNTS OF THE HOUSING

AUTHORITY OVER 49 YEARS.

9. NO AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECRUIT-

MENT OF HONG KONG LABOUR FOR WORK IN THE OCEAN AND NAURU ISLANDS

AND IN BRUNEI. RECRUITMENT FOR BRUNEI AND OCEAN ISLAND ARE

HANDLED BY PRIVATE AGENCIES IN HONG KONG AND FOR NAURU BY THE

NAURU CONSULATE IN HONG KONG. THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE ONLY FOR ADMINISTERING THE CONTRACTS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE (WHICH PROTECTS THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF MANUAL WORKERS PROCEEDING OVERSEAS FOR EMPLOYMENT UNDER CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT ENTERED INTO IN HONG KONG) AND ALL SUCH CONTRACTS HAVE TO BE ATTESTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR

LABOUR.

MACLEHOSE

FILE S: HKD (3)

FED

PS

PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS F3/MR LUAR)

MR CORTAZZI

MR MURRAY

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COPIES TO:

MR S.J. KIDD, HONG KONG GOVT

CONFIDENTIAL

OFFICE, LONA