Resettlement_Department_Annual_Report_1971-1972 — Page 15

CHAPTER 4

CLEARANCE OF SQUATTERS

29. The Clearance Sub-Division of the Operations Division is headed by an Administrative Officer and is responsible for planning and executing the squatter clearance programme,

PLANNING

30. Most unleased Crown land in the urban areas on which it is possible to build is occupied, mainly by residential squatters and also by small factories, workshops, shops, illegal cultivation, pigsties and so on. When an area of this sort is required for development the Resettlement Department is responsible for arranging the clearance of all structures and cultivation and resettling all eligible persons.

31. When a clearance application is received (either from the Director of Lands and Survey in the urban areas or from a District Officer in the New Territories) a discreet check is made of the situation in the area to be cleared. From this check the size of the clearance problem is determined and its priority and timing fixed. The following points are taken into consideration in arriving at such decisions:

(i) The purpose for which the land is required

The highest priority is land required for government housing estates, partly on social grounds and partly because other forms of land development would be impossible if there were no housing estates in which to rehouse the squatters occupying the land. Water schemes, schools, hospitals and other public buildings or works are the next priority. Provision is also made for private, commercial, residential, and industrial development in accordance with approved town plans.

(ii) Date for clearance

Before the land can be cleared any private land involved must be resumed, any valid permits cancelled and compensation assessed. Moving house is a considerable upheaval and ample time must be allowed for sorting out such personal problems as finding new jobs and schools. Development of the site must start immediately after clearance in order to avoid leaving the land idle is to do so might attract new squatting.

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