TNAG-1575-FCO40-2148-Housing-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 44

Sir,

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Translation

DRAFT SPEECH BY HON SZETO WAH LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 29.10.86

Adjournment Debate on the

"Report of the Committee on Housing Subsidy to Tenants of Public Housing" and the

"Report of the Domestic Rent Policy Review Committee"

The social objectives of the public housing programme were explicitly mentioned in the beginning sections of both Reports immediately after the introductory paragraphs.

Indeed, social

objectives are important aspects that constitute the basic policy of

Nonetheless, the actual the whole public housing programme.

historical background of the public housing programme and its social functions were not highlighted and the question per se was thus circumvented. As a result, people's view was blurred and their attention towards the problem was diverted.

Nearly half of the

This is an

Government began to build resettlement blocks after the disastrous Shek Kip Mei fire in 1953 and stepped up its public Since then, various public housing housing programme in 1962. estates were built. Today, we can see blocks and blocks of public housing in different parts of Hong Kong. population are accommodated in public housing units. achievement we could be very proud of. countless sorrows and toil behind the scene. would like to ask: by how many times have the prices of land, properties and rents soared in the last few decades after the advent

What made this surge in land of the public housing programme?

Yet no one should forget the There are questions we

prices possible? Why didn't social conflicts become accute in such abnormal development? Why was Hong Kong able to maintain its

stability and prosperity?

public housing programme?

Who reaped the most benefits from the

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