TNAG-1610-FCO40-22132-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 73

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private.

This is particularly

true for our basic programmes of public works. They provide the framework for all other activities and need continually to be expanded and modernised.

42..

A key element of our development strategy has been the New Towns Programme. Over the past fifteen 15 years this has provided land for almost 200,000 public housing flats (including Home Ownership); moré than 130,000 units in the private sector; and a. very considerable land bank for other purposes, including industry. A significant milestone was passed this year when the total population of all the new towns reached 2 million. As a direct consequence of the New Towns Programme the population of the New Territories has

trebled since the programme started in 1972.

43.

This is a very impressive achievement, as I have seen for myself on a series of district visits over the past few months. It is not yet finished. It will continue into the nineties, with the completion of the existing new towns and with further developments at Ma On Shan, Junk Bay and Tin Shui Wai.

/44.

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