1962 — Page 15

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed
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Page 15 of 150

14

Resettlement

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

We in the Urban Council have been exerting our utmost efforts in pressing on with the Resettlement Programme, and although we had aimed at a target of 100,000 for the past 12 months, the Resettlement Department was not able to resettle more than 75,688 persons.

This is regrettable, but nevertheless I take this opportunity of commending the Resettlement Department and the Public Works Department for their creditable, even though unsuccessful, efforts in striving to reach the 100,000 mark.

We aim to resettle another 500,000 persons within the coming five years, and we believe that we are taking the right steps in planning for a different type of resettlement block known as the "Mark III' type. There will be greater privacy in each room, better ventilation, and even an individual verandah. And though living space will still be provided on the basis of between 20 to 25 square feet per person, these new Mark III blocks will be a huge improvement over the original type of resettlement blocks.

In virtual fact, resettlement operations are more or less evolving into permanent low-cost housing, and with this in mind, I feel it is essential that future resettlement estates should be developed into fairly self-contained districts in the urban areas, with adequate schools, community centres, transportation facilities, playgrounds and other amenities, and of course adequate telephone service as well, and I am very glad that our former colleague, Mr. Y. K. KAN, is here to hear that.

Since the Urban Council is responsible for administration policies in regard to resettlement estates and areas, it is understandable that we should be concerned with the livelihood and welfare of the residents and their children living therein.

With a view to promoting employment, it is necessary that we encourage more handicrafts and small industries in resettlement estates. I would propose that the Resettlement Department consult with the Commerce & Industry Department on organizing a Small Industry Extension Service to provide technical and other forms of assistance to resettlement dwellers. This service could eventually be made available to other small factory owners and handicraftsmen who are not living in resettlement estates. There is much talk nowadays about the need for product diversification and the improvement of quality; I believe that the setting up of such an Extension Service would be a practical step towards that end.

I am also very much concerned that there are still a comparatively higher percentage of children in resettlement estates who, though of school age, are not able to find a school place. Over the next five years, Government should use its maximum efforts to provide universal primary education for all children, including children in resettlement accommodation.

I would furthermore propose that the Resettlement Department request Government to set up Basic Industrial Training Courses for young men and women living in the estates. Apart from giving these young folk the opportunity to better equip themselves to obtain jobs, such courses would undoubtedly help to keep their young minds gainfully occupied and thus reduce the incidence of juvenile delinquency which seems to be a worsening problem these days.

Other Low-cost Housing

Apart from the resettlement programme, the Housing Authority, which is administered mainly by Members of this Council, also has a separate low-cost housing programme.

By the end of 1961, the Authority had housed 38,500 people and within the next three years, another 46,000 people will be given accommodation.

Since it takes two to three years to plan and build a large low-cost housing estate, the Housing Authority had some time ago asked Government for more funds to plan for more low-cost housing projects to be completed from 1965 and onwards. In the closing speeches of the Budget Debate in Legislative Council last Friday, Government has at last announced its agreement to provide additional funds to the Housing Authority to continue its low-cost housing programme.

As a matter of fact, Government's risk in the Housing Authority is negligible: the housing programmes are self-amortising, the interest rate is not cheap, and all the staff are Government servants.

The Housing Authority works on the basis of 35 sq. ft. per person of living space in each unit of accommodation, which is felt to be the very basic minimum for good permanent housing. If we should follow this yardstick to estimate the need for permanent housing for Hong Kong residents, I would say that 1,000,000 people are in great need of decent housing.

Although private development of domestic accommodation has been comparatively rapid during the past year, it is apparent that the combined pace of housing development both in the private and public sectors is not catching up with the real demand. The fact that rents in new buildings have been shooting up is the obvious indication that the law of supply and demand is still very much at work in Hong Kong.

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Page 15 of 150 14 Resettlement HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL We in the Urban Council have been exerting our utmost efforts in pressing on with the Resettlement Programme, and although we had aimed at a target of 100,000 for the past 12 months, the Resettlement Department was not able to resettle more than 75,688 persons. This is regrettable, but nevertheless I take this opportunity of commending the Resettlement Department and the Public Works Department for their creditable, even though unsuccessful, efforts in striving to reach the 100,000 mark. We aim to resettle another 500,000 persons within the coming five years, and we believe that we are taking the right steps in planning for a different type of resettlement block known as the "Mark III' type. There will be greater privacy in each room, better ventilation, and even an individual verandah. And though living space will still be provided on the basis of between 20 to 25 square feet per person, these new Mark III blocks will be a huge improvement over the original type of resettlement blocks. In virtual fact, resettlement operations are more or less evolving into permanent low-cost housing, and with this in mind, I feel it is essential that future resettlement estates should be developed into fairly self-contained districts in the urban areas, with adequate schools, community centres, transportation facilities, playgrounds and other amenities, and of course adequate telephone service as well, and I am very glad that our former colleague, Mr. Y. K. KAN, is here to hear that. Since the Urban Council is responsible for administration policies in regard to resettlement estates and areas, it is understandable that we should be concerned with the livelihood and welfare of the residents and their children living therein. With a view to promoting employment, it is necessary that we encourage more handicrafts and small industries in resettlement estates. I would propose that the Resettlement Department consult with the Commerce & Industry Department on organizing a Small Industry Extension Service to provide technical and other forms of assistance to resettlement dwellers. This service could eventually be made available to other small factory owners and handicraftsmen who are not living in resettlement estates. There is much talk nowadays about the need for product diversification and the improvement of quality; I believe that the setting up of such an Extension Service would be a practical step towards that end. I am also very much concerned that there are still a comparatively higher percentage of children in resettlement estates who, though of school age, are not able to find a school place. Over the next five years, Government should use its maximum efforts to provide universal primary education for all children, including children in resettlement accommodation. I would furthermore propose that the Resettlement Department request Government to set up Basic Industrial Training Courses for young men and women living in the estates. Apart from giving these young folk the opportunity to better equip themselves to obtain jobs, such courses would undoubtedly help to keep their young minds gainfully occupied and thus reduce the incidence of juvenile delinquency which seems to be a worsening problem these days. Other Low-cost Housing Apart from the resettlement programme, the Housing Authority, which is administered mainly by Members of this Council, also has a separate low-cost housing programme. By the end of 1961, the Authority had housed 38,500 people and within the next three years, another 46,000 people will be given accommodation. Since it takes two to three years to plan and build a large low-cost housing estate, the Housing Authority had some time ago asked Government for more funds to plan for more low-cost housing projects to be completed from 1965 and onwards. In the closing speeches of the Budget Debate in Legislative Council last Friday, Government has at last announced its agreement to provide additional funds to the Housing Authority to continue its low-cost housing programme. As a matter of fact, Government's risk in the Housing Authority is negligible: the housing programmes are self-amortising, the interest rate is not cheap, and all the staff are Government servants. The Housing Authority works on the basis of 35 sq. ft. per person of living space in each unit of accommodation, which is felt to be the very basic minimum for good permanent housing. If we should follow this yardstick to estimate the need for permanent housing for Hong Kong residents, I would say that 1,000,000 people are in great need of decent housing. Although private development of domestic accommodation has been comparatively rapid during the past year, it is apparent that the combined pace of housing development both in the private and public sectors is not catching up with the real demand. The fact that rents in new buildings have been shooting up is the obvious indication that the law of supply and demand is still very much at work in Hong Kong. Page 16 [50
Baseline (Original)
50 Page 15 of 150 14 Resettlement HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL We in the Urban Council have been exerting our utmost efforts in pressing on with the Resettlement Programme, and although we had aimed at a target of 100,000 for the past 12 months, the Resettlement Department was not able to resettle more than 75,688 persons. This is regrettable, but nevertheless I take this opportunity of commending the Resettlement Department and the Public Works Department for their creditable, even though unsuccessful, efforts in striving to reach the 100,000 mark. We aim to resettle another 500,000 persons within the coming five years, and we believe that we are taking the right steps in planning for a different type of resettlement block known as the "Mark III' type. There will be greater privacy in each room, better ventilation, and even an individual verandah. And though living space will still be provided on the basis of between 20 to 25 square feet per person, these new Mark III blocks will be a huge improvement over the original type of resettlement blocks. In virtual fact, resettlement operations are more or less evolving into permanent low-cost housing, and with this in mind, I feel it is essential that future resettlement estates should be developed into fairly self-contained districts in the urban areas, with adequate schools, com- munity centres, transportation facilities, playgrounds and other ameni- ties, and of course adequate telephone service as well, and I am very glad that our former colleague, Mr. Y. K. KAN, is here to hear that. Since the Urban Council is responsible for administration policies in regard to resettlement estates and areas, it is understandable that we should be concerned with the livelihood and welfare of the residents and their children living therein. With a view to promoting employment, it is necessary that we encourage more handicrafts and small industries in resettlement estates. I would propose that the Resettlement Department consult with the Commerce & Industry Department on organizing a Small Industry Extension Service to provide technical and other forms of assistance to resettlement dwellers. This service could eventually be made available to other small factory owners and handicraftsmen who are not living in resettlement estates. There is much talk nowadays about the need for product diversification and the improvement of quality; I believe that the setting up of such an Extension Service would be a practical step towards that end. I am also very much concerned that there are still a comparatively higher percentage of children in resettlement estates who, though of school age, are not able to find a school place. Over the next five HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 15 years, Government should use its maximum efforts to provide universal primary education for all children, including children in resettlement accommodation. I would furthermore propose that the Resettlement Department request Government to set up Basic Industrial Training Courses for young men and women living in the estates. Apart from giving these young folk the opportunity to better equip themselves to obtain jobs, such courses would undoubtedly help to keep their young minds gainfully occupied and thus reduce the incidence of juvenile delinqu- ency which seems to be a worsening problem these days. Other Low-cost Housing Apart from the resettlement programme, the Housing Authority, which is administered mainly by Members of this Council, also has a separate low-cost housing programme. By the end of 1961, the Authority had housed 38,500 people and within the next three years, another 46,000 people will be given accommodation. Since it takes two to three years to plan and build a large low- cost housing estate, the Housing Authority had some time ago asked Government for more funds to plan for more low-cost housing projects to be completed from 1965 and onwards. In the closing speeches of the Budget Debate in Legislative Council last Friday, Government has at last announced its agreement to provide additional funds to the Housing Authority to continue its low-cost housing programme. As a matter of fact, Government's risk in the Housing Authority is negligible: the housing programmes are self-amortising, the interest rate is not cheap, and all the staff are Government servants. The Housing Authority works on the basis of 35 sq. ft. per person of living space in each unit of accommodation, which is felt to be the very basic minimum for good permanent housing. If we should follow this yardstick to estimate the need for permanent housing for Hong Kong residents, I would say that 1,000,000 people are in great need of decent housing. Although private development of domestic accommodation has been comparatively rapid during the past year, it is apparent that the combined pace of housing development both in the private and public sectors is not catching up with the real demand. The fact that rents in new buildings have been shooting up is the obvious indication that the law of supply and demand is still very much at work in Hong Kong. Page 15Page 16 [50
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Page 15 of 150

14

Resettlement

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

We in the Urban Council have been exerting our utmost efforts in pressing on with the Resettlement Programme, and although we had aimed at a target of 100,000 for the past 12 months, the Resettlement Department was not able to resettle more than 75,688 persons.

This is regrettable, but nevertheless I take this opportunity of commending the Resettlement Department and the Public Works Department for their creditable, even though unsuccessful, efforts in striving to reach the 100,000 mark.

We aim to resettle another 500,000 persons within the coming five years, and we believe that we are taking the right steps in planning for a different type of resettlement block known as the "Mark III' type. There will be greater privacy in each room, better ventilation, and even an individual verandah. And though living space will still be provided on the basis of between 20 to 25 square feet per person, these new Mark III blocks will be a huge improvement over the original type of resettlement blocks.

In virtual fact, resettlement operations are more or less evolving into permanent low-cost housing, and with this in mind, I feel it is essential that future resettlement estates should be developed into fairly self-contained districts in the urban areas, with adequate schools, com- munity centres, transportation facilities, playgrounds and other ameni- ties, and of course adequate telephone service as well, and I am very glad that our former colleague, Mr. Y. K. KAN, is here to hear that.

Since the Urban Council is responsible for administration policies in regard to resettlement estates and areas, it is understandable that we should be concerned with the livelihood and welfare of the residents and their children living therein.

With a view to promoting employment, it is necessary that we encourage more handicrafts and small industries in resettlement estates. I would propose that the Resettlement Department consult with the Commerce & Industry Department on organizing a Small Industry Extension Service to provide technical and other forms of assistance to resettlement dwellers. This service could eventually be made available to other small factory owners and handicraftsmen who are not living in resettlement estates. There is much talk nowadays about the need for product diversification and the improvement of quality; I believe that the setting up of such an Extension Service would be a practical step towards that end.

I am also very much concerned that there are still a comparatively higher percentage of children in resettlement estates who, though of school age, are not able to find a school place. Over the next five

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

15

years, Government should use its maximum efforts to provide universal primary education for all children, including children in resettlement accommodation.

I would furthermore propose that the Resettlement Department request Government to set up Basic Industrial Training Courses for young men and women living in the estates. Apart from giving these young folk the opportunity to better equip themselves to obtain jobs, such courses would undoubtedly help to keep their young minds gainfully occupied and thus reduce the incidence of juvenile delinqu- ency which seems to be a worsening problem these days.

Other Low-cost Housing

Apart from the resettlement programme, the Housing Authority, which is administered mainly by Members of this Council, also has a separate low-cost housing programme.

By the end of 1961, the Authority had housed 38,500 people and within the next three years, another 46,000 people will be given accommodation.

Since it takes two to three years to plan and build a large low- cost housing estate, the Housing Authority had some time ago asked Government for more funds to plan for more low-cost housing projects to be completed from 1965 and onwards. In the closing speeches of the Budget Debate in Legislative Council last Friday, Government has at last announced its agreement to provide additional funds to the Housing Authority to continue its low-cost housing programme.

As a matter of fact, Government's risk in the Housing Authority is negligible: the housing programmes are self-amortising, the interest rate is not cheap, and all the staff are Government servants.

The Housing Authority works on the basis of 35 sq. ft. per person of living space in each unit of accommodation, which is felt to be the very basic minimum for good permanent housing. If we should follow this yardstick to estimate the need for permanent housing for Hong Kong residents, I would say that 1,000,000 people are in great need of decent housing.

Although private development of domestic accommodation has been comparatively rapid during the past year, it is apparent that the combined pace of housing development both in the private and public sectors is not catching up with the real demand. The fact that rents in new buildings have been shooting up is the obvious indication that the law of supply and demand is still very much at work in Hong Kong.

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