TNAG-0984-FCO40-1203-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 116

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Regardless of their final destinations, while in

Hong Kong all categories of 'boat people' impose further strains on Hong Kong's resources, which are already overstretched in dealing with illegal and legal immigration from China.

Effects on Social Programmes

In order to cater for the extra demands inflicted on public services by the increased immigration since 1978, and to maintain existing levels of service, the Government would have had to provide :

(i) 39,000 units of public housing ($2,900 million) (ii) 1 major hospital ($600 million)

(iii) 2 clinics ($25 million)

(iv) 3 additional special schools ($13 million)

(v) 2 homes and 4 day care centres for the

mentally handicapped ($12 million)

(vi) 7 sheltered workshops ($61⁄2 million)

(vii) 4 hostels for the physically disabled ($3 million),

and

(viii) 1 home for the ex-mentally ill ($1⁄2 million).

In reality, none of the additional building did take place or could have taken place, so that even greater pressures have been put on existing facilities. The reason is clear: major projects like this cannot be added to existing programmes, planned, and completed at the drop of a hat.

In the case of housing for example, the provision of an adequate supply of formed and serviced land is a principal factor in the scale and rate of production. At the same time, substantial quantities of land must be produced for industry, community uses and other infrastructure facilities in order to ensure the development of a balanced community and economic structure. Taking into account the need for initial planning and engineering studies, resumption, clearance formation works and the provision of road access and infrastructure, the lead time required to provide properly serviced sites is of the order of five years.

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