TNAG-1727-FCO40-2440-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 111

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Compensation for squatter Clearance

Sir, after delivering a lot of views on non-tangible issues, finally I want to touch on something that could be effected rapidly, by that I mean compensation for squatter clearance. This issue, being a practical and imminent one, is closely connected

le with people's livelihood and it demands the government's immediate lc.

attention.

In my opinion, the compensation given to the residents and factories owners affected by squatter clearance as well as to

fire victims is far below the realistic level. The recipients

cannot help but feel that the Government fails to appreciate their actual needs. For example, has the Government taken those necessary expenses, such as telephone reposition fees, into account in the removal allowance? Has the Government ever imagined that the compensation paid to factory owners cannot even meet the expenses of moving their machinery to the place where they intend

to resume their business?

Take

On the other hand, homeless fire victims in the urban area are already in a pitiable situation. Resettlement in the New

Territories causes them further inconvenience. However, the

financial assistance offered by the Government is so minimal.

four the example of a A-person family, they are only entitled to an allowance of $2,090, $1,140 of which is meant to be removal

allowance if their squatter is demolished in a clearance exercise. The remaining $950 is furniture allowance. I wonder what furniture they can buy with $950 at the current price level.

Therefore I urge the Government to revise the allowance as soon as possible in order not to let such allowances fall out of

line with actual needs.