TNAG-0806-FCO40-1011-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-land-in-the-New-Territo-1979 — Page 135

INTRODUCTION

1.1

1.2

1.3

The

In November 1977, Government announced that His Excellency, The Governor had set up a Joint Working Group to examine land resumption methods in the New Territories. announcement stated that the Working Group would have twelve members under the chairmanship of Sir Yuet-keung Kan.

to

The Public Affairs Sub-Committee of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is constituted amongst other things to "formulate authoritative statements of the Institution's views on matters of public concern, make known those views and to submit representations as appropriate". It is felt by the Institution that the question of resumption and compensation for land taken by the Crown in the New Territories is one which the Institution is suitably qualified to comment upon and it has therefore instructed the Public Affairs Sub-Committee to prepare and submit a paper setting out the Institution's views.

This paper represents the Institution's views on the stated objectives contained in the terms of reference given by the Governor to the Joint Working Group, namely:

1.3.1 "To examine, in the light of the current and future resumption

programme, the methods by which leased land in the New Territories towns is acquired by the Government for urban development and public purposes, including the rates of compensation paid and the land exchange scheme; and to recommend to the Governor any changes needed".

1.4

1.5

1.6

It has been prepared by a small working group of members of the Public Affairs Sub-Committee consisting of Mr. A.G. Doran, F.R.I.C.S., Mr. A.J. Dixon, F.R.I.C.S. and Mr. J.D. Johnston, A.R.I.C.S. under the chairmanship of Mr. E.T. Kennard, F.R.I.C.S. (Chairman of the Hong Kong Branch of the Institution).

The Sub-Committee has also sought and obtained valuable assistance from other members of the Institution in practice in Hong Kong.

The Institution would like to make it quite clear that it does not consider that any professional body should in any way seek

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