TNAG-0735-FCO40-939-Policy-objective-for-the-developing-of-Hong-Kong-in-the-1980-1978 — Page 17

SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING

IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

15.11.78

Annual Policy Debate 1978

Sir, in this debate my Unofficial friends

have spoken rather less about housing policy than

usua, and I take this, cautiously as a measure of

agreement with Government's policies.

2.

The very size and progress of the housing

prograrme has encouraged Mr. Hilton Cheong-Leen and

Mr. Wong LaTM to lift their sights and to commend for

attention those whose income exceeds the level of

eligibility for rented public housing and the Home

Ownership Scheme. Unfortunately, we cannot take on

all desirable objectives simultaneously and priorities

have to be established, both within the programme

under discussion, in this case housing, and as between

other major programmes. The first priority has for

many years been the provision of subsidised rented housing

for the lowest income group, and it must so continue.

The second, relatively new priority, is the Home Ownership

Scheme. We cannot, for the present, consider extending

these priorities. Meanwhile, we shall in particular

be alert to the need for expansion of the Home Ownership

Scheme and to the relative balance in provision of

rented and Home Ownership flats.

3.

Mr. Wong Lam mentioned the situation of ?

people who, having been on the waiting list for rented

public housing for some time, find when their turn comes

that they are ineligible, because their income has

/meanwhile