number of new places did in fact become available during the year for relief of overcrowding, and 4,223 persons in 695 families moved. Of these latter, only 133 were sons of tenants under the new policy (see Appendix 7).
55. In 1969 the Housing Board approved new allocations in Mark IV blocks at 27 square feet per adult, and during the year the Resettle- ment Management Select Committee and Colonial Secretariat approved allocation of the remaining Mark V accommodation at a minimum of 30-32 square feet per adult, and of Mark VI and later accommodation at 35 square feet as in Low Cost Housing. It is expected that these measures will help to prevent overcrowding in the future.
COMMERCIAL PREMISES
56. Until 1969, commercial undertakings in a clearance area were given resettlement shops as compensation for loss of livelihood. The ground floors of nearly all blocks were divided into small shopsites, allocated by ballot, and shopkeepers were allowed to choose their trades, while sites of low commercial value were allocated to cleared workshops. The number of shops resulting is too great and the size of shops too small for them to be really economic. Moreover, the system of allocation has led to very unsatisfactory conditions in the old estates. As monthly tenancies are regarded as a form of permanent compensa- tion, there are considerable difficulties in enforcing tenancy conditions in the 8,658 shop and 1,538 workshop tenancies. Some 3% of them are behind with their rents; and, among other breaches of tenancy condi- tions, attempts to extend their premises on to the pavements and public areas are common. A great deal of the time of the estate staff is taken up in attempting to enforce tenancy conditions. During the year, some 1,744 extensions and oversize sunshades were demolished by direct action by departmental staff, while the tenancies of 5 commercial prem- ises were terminated with the approval of the Resettlement Management Select Committee.
57. There are at present some 240 general restaurants and 287 cafes in the estates. No restaurants were specifically provided for in the early estates. However, since many resettlement tenants do not eat in their rooms, and most prefer to have their morning meal at a restaurant, the demand for these facilities had to be met. Since the ground floor shops of Mark I and II estates did not provide sufficient space in their
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