TNAG-1574-FCO40-2147-Housing-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 149

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OCMIAN 6824

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OO HOKON

FM FCOLN TO HOKON

141430Z MAY

GRS 250

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FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 889

OF 141430Z MAY 86

нии 364/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

16 MAY 1986

DESK OFFICER

REGISTRY

INDEX

PA

Action Taken

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: HOUSING

1.

SIR PAUL BRYAN HAS PUT DOWN THE FOLLOWING PQ FOR WRITTEN

ANSWER ON 20 MAY:

'TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, IF HE IS SATISFIED WITH THE STATE OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG: AND IF HE WILL MAKE A

STATEMENT.'

2.

WE PROPOSE TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING REPLY:

'THE PROVISION OF HOUSING REMAINS A PRIORITY COMMITMENT

FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHOSE AIM IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY

FAMILY HAS A PERMANENT, SELF-CONTAINED HOME AT A RENT OR PRICE IT CAN AFFORD. IN 1985 THE GOVERNMENT-OWNED HOUSING AUTHORITY

CONSTRUCTED A RECORD 49,724 UNITS OF ACCOMMODATION WHILST ANOTHER 30,000 UNITS WERE CONSTRUCTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE HOUSING

AUTHORITY PLACES EMPHASIS ON THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND

THE NEWER HOUSING ESTATES OFFER COMFORTABLE AND WELL-DESIGNED

HOMES IN PLEASANT LANDSCAPED SURROUNDINGS. IN ADDITION TO NEW

CONSTRUCTION THE REDEVELOPMENT OF OLD ESTATES AND THE PROVISION

OF IMPROVED COMMUNITY FACILITIES CONTINUES. AT PRESENT 2.4

MILLION PEOPLE (APPROXIMATELY 45 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION) LIVE

IN PUBLIC HOUSING. HOWEVER DEMAND CONTINUES TO EXCEED SUPPLY AND

SOME 120,000 FAMILIES LIVE IN SQUATTER AREAS.

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