Resettlement_Department_Annual_Report_1971-1972 — Page 31

63. There are at present some 235 general restaurants and 286 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 small area, the Select Committee agreed in 1967 that an area outside the restaurants could be covered and used on permit for outside seating for customers. 363 permits for this purpose have been issued, at a fee of approximately 10g a square foot a month. Some restaurant operators, however, continue to use estate courtyards for cooking and food prep- aration; while others have illegally extended or altered their outside seating structures without permission. Arising from a recalcitrant case in Wong Tai Sin Estate, the Select Committee has resolved to stop issu- ing any new outside seating permits temporarily, and to warn all existing permit holders to abide by permit conditions.

64. Provision was made for restaurants at the ends of Mark III blocks, while the Mark IV and V estates have detached annex restaurants. Two-storey restaurants of approximately 2,708 square feet in area are now provided in the later estates at a ratio of 1 to 12,000 population. Arrangements are being made with the Public Works Department to double the size of some of these restaurants in estates where the need exists and where extension work is technically feasible.

65. In 1969, a new policy was approved whereby all future com- mercial premises would be let on fixed-term renewable leases, the tenants being selected from experienced businessmen by public tender. This has allowed for better planning of commercial facilities in the new estates, and the reservation of fewer but larger premises. During the year, 15 shops and 4 restaurant premises in one estate were let by public tender, premia of $296,910.00 being realized. A total of 338 shops, 11 restaurants, 5 banks and 126 large modular market stalls in 4 estates will soon be let by public tender.

CLEANSING

66. The old estates have always been cleaned by direct labour, that is by labourers at a manning scale of 1 to 110 rooms, supervised by gangers, chargemen and foremen. A staff of over 2,900 has been required for this purpose. In the Mark I, II and III blocks, in addition to sweeping staircases and public balconies, these labourers also clean

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