TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 184

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A major step. has been taken which will further

increase our control of the squatter population. For the

first time we are undertaking a survey of squatter inhabitants

rather than squatter huts. The results of that survey, which is about half-way through, will enable us to quantify our

commitment to re-housing the squatter population once and

for all. People not included in that survey will not be

entitled to public housing.

I would not wish to give the impression we have

given up hope of making savings and our current high level

of clearances is already allowing us to make substantial

economies. Following a value-for-money study in 1983, the

deployment of squatter control teams has been streamlined

with the staff reduced from 3,000 to 2,400 with an annual

saving of 6 million dollars in real terms. A further

value-for-money report has recently been completed and is being examined within the Department. No less than 65,000

squatters will be cleared annually under the development

and non-development programme. This, in turn, should allow for a further reduction of squatter control staff and I am confident that further savings can be achieved year by year.

Sir, squatter control is a stop gap measure and

there is only one sensible, practical and long-term solution

to this problem. Squatter control becomes very cheap indeed when there are no squatters. We now have squatting under control and have established a comprehensive squatter

clearance programme.

We have a construction programme capable

of re-housing our urban squatters without jeopardizing our

other housing commitments. Through no fault of our own we have been blown off-course many times in the past. I believe, Sir, we now have a real opportunity to see a solution to

this problem which has concerned us for so long.

Sir, I support the Motion.