TNAG-1843-FCO40-2618-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 169

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37. It is already clear that the expansion of Hong Kong's port, and

any new airport, will need to be sited in the western part of the

territory and will require large new reclamations from the sea. New

reclamations will also be needed within the harbour area to enable

urban renewal projects to be carried out and for new commercial developments and transport corridors within the central areas.

of the elements needed are already under way - for instance the

construction of a number of new roads and bridges across the border

with China - but crucial decisions on how, and how far, to proceed

will need to be made within the next year or two. In making them it

will be necessary also to take account of the need for other large essential projects, such as new sewage treatment facilities which

will cost as much as HK$12,600 million over the next decade.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

38.

The Hong Kong Government's social philosophy presents a marked contrast to its generally laissez-faire approach to the economy. Since the early 1950's, the Government has built subsidised public housing for rent to the poorest sector of the population. Over the years, the housing programme has increased in size and ambition. The Hong Kong Housing Authority is now responsible for housing almost half the population of the territory and is the biggest landlord in the world. As well as constructing new flats for

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rental, at ever higher standards in ever better designed estates, it is replacing its older stock and has begun a programme of building flats for sale to satisfy increasing demands for home ownership.

39. In a very crowded territory it is not possible for everyone to live in spacious and uncrowded conditions. But, within the confines of high rise living, more and more adequate housing of a good standard is being provided. Most households now possess colour television sets, telephones and electrical household appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines and, increasingly, air

conditioners.