tion, and from enclosing these structures to form permanent extensions to their premises.
41. A programme for the removal of all unauthorized flower-pot racks and metal cages attached to the outside of blocks was largely completed. These illegal installations were unsightly and dangerous, and become receptacles for the accumulation of litter and junk. Many of these installations were removed by the department's tidiness teams, particularly in the older estates, but some were also voluntarily removed by the tenants.
42. During the year, the department continued with a systematic programme started in July 1971 for the demolition of all illegal struc- tures in estates. By the end of the year, a total of 8,415 illegal structures had been demolished. Most of these were used by hawkers, and 5,712 hawkers of long-standing in the estates were resited into temporary bazaars. They were permitted to build new stalls to a standard pattern and size in the bazaars, in orderly rows to facilitate cleansing.
43. Modular markets in Sau Mau Ping, Yau Tong and Castle Peak were brought into operation, and stalls were allocated to the hawkers who had previously been resited into the temporary bazaars, but unauthorized hawking by mobile operators who were not eligible for stalls still persists. Prosecution action was taken against these for obstruction, and details are summarized at Appendix 9.
OVERCROWDING
44. Perhaps the largest single factor contributing to the deteriora- tion of conditions in the estates is overcrowding. The first resettlement blocks were allocated on a minimum space standard of 24 square feet per adult (two children under ten counting as one adult) and this emergency measure had to be continued over the years because of the severe shortage of housing. Overcrowding quickly resulted from natural increase and because of a generous addition policy whereby relatives could be added to households.
45. To prevent further unnecessary overcrowding, a stricter addi- tion policy was introduced in 1970. Notwithstanding this, the position has continued to worsen. During the year, the death of 1,111 estate residents was reported, and 10,051 persons moved to other accom-
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