TNAG-0806-FCO40-1011-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-land-in-the-New-Territo-1979 — Page 19

C.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL # #

機密

For discussion

on 27th June 1978.

ANNEX A TO ACC(73)35

XCC(78)52 Copy No Page 1

of 80

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

WORKING GROUP ON NEW TERRITORIES URBAN LAND ACQUISITIONS REPORT

A

J

Introduction

On 6th September 1977 the Council considered memorandum XCC(77)68 which annexed a report from the Secretary for the New Territories (Annex A) outlining the difficulties of maintaining the present exchange policy from the acquisition of leased lands in the New Territories Urban areas, The following extract from the memorandum identified briefly the main problem:

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The urban development programme in the New Territories requires the continuing acquisition of private lands and property on a very considerable scale over the next few years. The outstanding exchange commitment is to provide 7.2 2 million square feet of building land; meanwhile, resumptions are continuing at the rate of approximately 10 million square feet a year, producing a further annual commitment to provide 4 million square feet of building land for exchanges. Although as much land as possible is being made available for exchange, the continuing and expanding need for land for public housing and other purposes will prolong and aggravate this situation. In these circumstances it is most... necessary to devise and obtain agreement to an acceptable substitute for the exchange system. It is also highly desirable for Government to retain the initiative.

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After considering memorandum XCC(77)68, the Council advised and the Governor ordered that a Working Group under the chairmanship of Sir Y. K. Kan, the membership of which would consist of UMELCO Members, members of the Heung Yee Kuk and officials, should be appointed to advise him on the procedures and scale of compensation to be used for future land resumption in the New Territories.

3

In pursuance of this decision, the Working Group on New Territories Urban Land Acquisitions was appointed in October 1977 with the following terms of reference:

CONFIDENTIAL

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