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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
First and foremost, let it be stated quite categorically that there is not, nor has there ever been, any lack of sympathy for squatters of all kinds on the part of the Members of the Resettle-ment Policy Select Committee, nor has the Committee been in any doubt as to the nuisance which street squatters and, more lately, roof-top squatters represent to the general public.
MR. BERNACCHI :~On a point of order, Mr. Chairman. Is the speaker speaking on the amendment, that this be referred to a committee?
CHAIRMAN: -What Standing Order are you referring to?
MR. BERNACCHI :-I shall get it. I do not in any way wish to stop Mr. Li. An amendment has now been proposed and seconded and that is what is before this Council now. If Mr. Li is speaking to the amendment I have no objection.
MR. LI YIU BOR:-I am speaking on the amendment-May I proceed, sir?
CHAIRMAN :—Yes.
MR. LI YIU BOR :-The speed with which resettlement can take place is largely governed by the speed with which multi-storeyed blocks can be constructed, which in turn is largely governed by the speed with which the Public Works Depart-ment can deal with the engineering problems which large scale development obviously entails.
As far as Government policy in this matter is concerned, it is relevant that in May last year, the Special Committee on Housing set up by His Excellency the Governor recommended to Government in an interim report, that the resettlement pro-gramme be pushed ahead with all speed, and Government accepted this recommendation. As evidence of this it is hoped to provide accommodation for some 63,000 squatters at Wong Tai Sin in the near future.
On the question of priorities it would, I suggest, be foolish for the Select Committee to attempt to lay down any hard and fast rules as to which particular squatters should be cleared and resettled first. It does seem vital to the Civic Association,
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however, that the Select Committee should reflect very carefully before abandoning its previous policy, namely, that no worth-while development of benefit to the general public should be held up by virtue of the fact that squatters are occupying the land required for their development.
Had we in 1956 given priority to fire victims, it would have had the following effects:-
(a) the Housing Authority's low-cost housing schemes at Cadogan Street and So Uk would have been held up; (b) eleven sites for schools would have remained sterilized, as would sites for four welfare and community centres; (c) the laying of the Tai Lam Chung pipelines would have been interfered with;
(d) the Willow Street playground would have continued to be unavailable to the children in that area; and so on.
I submit that there would have been a public outcry had the Policy Select Committee not followed the line they have, and moreover I am sure that the public will wish that Committee to reflect very carefully before changing the policy, which is to proceed with resettlement and clearance with all haste, and in deciding priorities, to follow that course which it is considered will benefit the general community most, and in this connexion I feel sure that schools, medical establishments and sites suit-able for residential development for the long suffering tenement dwellers must be given every consideration.
The Civic Association is represented on the Select Committee to which it is proposed that this matter should be referred, and we have complete confidence that that Committee can be relied upon as heretofore to recommend a policy which not only is sound but also takes into consideration the best interests of the community in general rather than any particular section.
MR. FUNG PING FAN-I would like to say a few words concerning the Superseding Motion now under consideration before this Council.
Whilst none will deny the good intention of my friend in proposing that priority be given to the clearance and resettle-ment of the two categories of squatters mentioned in his Motion,
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268
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
First and foremost, let it be stated quite categorically that there is not, nor has there ever been, any lack of sympathy for squatters of all kinds on the part of the Members of the Resettle- ment Policy Select Committee, nor has the Committee been in any doubt as to the nuisance which street squatters and, more lately, roof-top squatters represent to the general public.
Is
MR. BERNACCHI :~On a point of order, Mr. Chairman. the speaker speaking on the amendment, that this be referred to a committee?
CHAIRMAN: -What Standing Order are you referring to?
MR. BERNACCHI :-I shall get it. I do not in any way wish to stop Mr. Li. An amendment has now been proposed and
seconded and that is what is before this Council now. is speaking to the amendment I have no objection.
If Mr. Li
MR. LI YIU BOR:-I am speaking on the amendment-May I proceed, sir?
-Yes.
CHAIRMAN :—
MR. LI YIU BOR :-The speed with which resettlement can take place is largely governed by the speed with which multi- storeyed blocks can be constructed, which in turn is largely governed by the speed with which the Public Works Depart- ment can deal with the engineering problems which large scale development obviously entails.
As far as Government policy in this matter is concerned, it is relevant that in May last year, the Special Committee on Housing set up by His Excellency the Governor recommended to Government in an interim report, that the resettlement pro- gramme be pushed ahead with all speed, and Government accepted this recommendation. As evidence of this it is hoped to provide accommodation for some 63,000 squatters at Wong Tai Sin in the near future.
On the question of priorities it would, I suggest, be foolish for the Select Committee to attempt to lay down any hard and fast rules as to which particular squatters should be cleared and resettled first. It does seem vital to the Civic Association,
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
269
however, that the Select Committee should reflect very carefully before abandoning its previous policy, namely, that no worth- while development of benefit to the general public should be held up by virtue of the fact that squatters are occupying the land required for their development.
Had we in 1956 given priority to fire victims, it would have had the following effects:-
(a) the Housing Authority's low-cost housing schemes at Cadogan Street and So Uk would have been held up; (b) eleven sites for schools would have remained sterilized, as would sites for four welfare and community centres; (c) the laying of the Tai Lam Chung pipelines would have
been interfered with;
(d) the Willow Street playground would have continued to be unavailable to the children in that area; and so on.
I submit that there would have been a public outery had the Policy Select Committee not followed the line they have, and moreover I am sure that the public will wish that Committee to reflect very carefully before changing the policy, which is to proceed with resettlement and clearance with all haste, and in deciding priorities, to follow that course which it is considered will benefit the general community most, and in this connexion I feel sure that schools, medical establishments and sites suit- able for residential development for the long suffering tenement dwellers must be given every consideration.
The Civic Association is represented on the Select Committee to which it is proposed that this matter should be referred, and we have complete confidence that that Committee can be relied upon as heretofore to recommend a policy which not only is sound but also takes into consideration the best interests of the community in general rather than any particular section.
MR. FUNG PING FAN-I would like to say a few words concerning the Superseding Motion now under consideration before this Council.
Whilst none will deny the good intention of my friend in proposing that priority be given to the clearance and resettle- ment of the two categories of squatters mentioned in his Motion,
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