TNAG-0856-FCO40-1066-Construction-of-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 234

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of July to seek support for their cause. Their main demands

were:-

(i) that they be given shop for shop and flat for flat

exchanges. They alleged that the MTR had offered such

exchanges to them originally, but we understand that this

is not the case;

(ii) that their compensation should be based on the current

value of their property, rather than the value at the

time when the property was resumed by the Crown;

(iii) that the calculation of the compensation should take

into account the total area of their premises, including

any illegal extensions to them;

(iv) that their tenants should not have been told or allowed

to refuse to pay rent after their property reverted to

the Crown; and

(v) that the eviction on 31 July should be postponed until

they have reached agreement with the MTR.

The complaints at (i) to (iv) above cannot be sustained.

one at (v) is dealt with in paragraph 7 below.

The outlook for the future

6.

The

Discussions between representatives of the 50 families who have

not yet accepted compensation and the Hong Kong authorities are

continuing. A meeting was held on 24 July at which the position

was explained yet again and the offer of compensation renewed.

7. Although the notice to quit expires on 31 July, the remaining

residents will not be evicted immediately. The Hong Kong Government

and the MTR will review the situation before deciding when and how

the clearance is to be carried out.

RESTRICTED