1962 — Page 85

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

very many other commitments, and they have to be considered as a whole, including the financial commitment. In the circumstances I will abstain from voting.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, as an indication of the harmony in which this Council and its Members work, chiefly behind the scenes, I would like to confirm that Mr. SALES and I discussed over the 'phone the motion, and I recall that he suggested that it might be an idea to put it as a question. Having explained to him that it was a subject on which I had very strong conviction I preferred to move it as a motion. Nevertheless, it is an indication of the degree to which Appointed and Elected Members work closely together. I have to make one correction in what I said concerning the degree to which Government will be landlord for one-third of the population within the next ten years. I should have really said one-quarter, because in another ten years our population could be increased by another million.

Mr. SALES has made reference to the advisability of avoiding use of the word "stampeding"-stampeding a housing programme without due regard to the need for funds for developing other services, and I cannot agree with him more and I think that that is the heart of the motion. If you will recall, Mr. Chairman, I would like to point out that the essence of my motion, apart from making strong reference to the public health and hygiene aspects, is that there is need, in my opinion, for Government to appoint a public body to co-ordinate and to plan housing over the next 10 years and beyond. As I have mentioned, this has been done by a small group of people, whom I most probably know in the Secretariat, and I have no doubt that they are sincere, hardworking and highly intelligent civil servants. But even so, when the plans put forward eventually reach the Governor in Council, before they are approved I do feel that it is necessary, Mr. Chairman-now that we are spending huge sums of money- that Government should appoint a public body, which could either be the Urban Council or the Housing Authority, to do the planning, to do the co-ordination, and to carry out the basic surveys.

The Honourable Director of Public Works said that, apart from including the resettlement programme of 100,000 persons a year, he expects that there will be an additional provision of housing by Government or through subsidized housing of 70,000 more. I would like to question this because I raised this previously in an Urban Council meeting. I raised it in the Housing Authority. I cannot elaborate more because certain papers regarding the Housing Authority's 10-year programme are still confidential, but I question whether or not Government will be able to provide, in addition to the low-cost programme of 100,000, additional accommodation for another 70,000 persons. I said at the last meeting of the Urban Council that based on the information

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

155

which is at present available, Government, after 1963, will not be able to, or has so far not agreed, to provide additional funds to provide low-cost housing through the Housing Authority for more than 15,000 persons per annum. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, while I do not question the integrity of the Honourable Director of Public Works in supplying these figures, I still would like to get details of how the figure is arrived at. In view of the sincere belief I hold, which is that good housing is vital to good citizenship, it was my decision that this motion be moved.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:- On a point of explanation, Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has asked for details. The figure that I quoted not long ago was 850,000 and I made allowance for slight deductions to make sure that my figures were within the figures that Government is likely to provide and subsidize. The figures are:

560,000 people by resettlement.

120,000 under Government low-cost housing at present under construction.

110,000 Housing Authority, which you query, but the figures were obtained from the Acting Commissioner for Housing and the details are-

1962/63 30,000

1963/64 30,000

1964/65 20,000

1965/66 15,000

1966/67 15,000

110,000

60,000 Housing Society, based on the Housing Society Annual Report, 1961, pages 32 and 33.

25,000 Government uniformed and disciplinary services. This covers chiefly Police, Fire Brigade, and Prisons programmes for married quarters.

875,000 people, but for safety's sake, I made it 850,000.

I can let you have copies of these details, and where they were obtained.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I would very much like to have them. May I ask a question in clarification from the Honourable Director of Public Works? Based on what indications that have been made by Government as to provision of funds, will the Housing Authority be able to provide over the next 10 years, commencing 1963, accommodation for much more than 15,000 persons per annum?

Page 85 of 150

Page 85

Page 86

Edit History

2026-05-13 17:41:47 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct

Live

View comparison

AI Proofread

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL very many other commitments, and they have to be considered as a whole, including the financial commitment. In the circumstances I will abstain from voting. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, as an indication of the harmony in which this Council and its Members work, chiefly behind the scenes, I would like to confirm that Mr. SALES and I discussed over the 'phone the motion, and I recall that he suggested that it might be an idea to put it as a question. Having explained to him that it was a subject on which I had very strong conviction I preferred to move it as a motion. Nevertheless, it is an indication of the degree to which Appointed and Elected Members work closely together. I have to make one correction in what I said concerning the degree to which Government will be landlord for one-third of the population within the next ten years. I should have really said one-quarter, because in another ten years our population could be increased by another million. Mr. SALES has made reference to the advisability of avoiding use of the word "stampeding"-stampeding a housing programme without due regard to the need for funds for developing other services, and I cannot agree with him more and I think that that is the heart of the motion. If you will recall, Mr. Chairman, I would like to point out that the essence of my motion, apart from making strong reference to the public health and hygiene aspects, is that there is need, in my opinion, for Government to appoint a public body to co-ordinate and to plan housing over the next 10 years and beyond. As I have mentioned, this has been done by a small group of people, whom I most probably know in the Secretariat, and I have no doubt that they are sincere, hardworking and highly intelligent civil servants. But even so, when the plans put forward eventually reach the Governor in Council, before they are approved I do feel that it is necessary, Mr. Chairman-now that we are spending huge sums of money- that Government should appoint a public body, which could either be the Urban Council or the Housing Authority, to do the planning, to do the co-ordination, and to carry out the basic surveys. The Honourable Director of Public Works said that, apart from including the resettlement programme of 100,000 persons a year, he expects that there will be an additional provision of housing by Government or through subsidized housing of 70,000 more. I would like to question this because I raised this previously in an Urban Council meeting. I raised it in the Housing Authority. I cannot elaborate more because certain papers regarding the Housing Authority's 10-year programme are still confidential, but I question whether or not Government will be able to provide, in addition to the low-cost programme of 100,000, additional accommodation for another 70,000 persons. I said at the last meeting of the Urban Council that based on the information HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 155 which is at present available, Government, after 1963, will not be able to, or has so far not agreed, to provide additional funds to provide low-cost housing through the Housing Authority for more than 15,000 persons per annum. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, while I do not question the integrity of the Honourable Director of Public Works in supplying these figures, I still would like to get details of how the figure is arrived at. In view of the sincere belief I hold, which is that good housing is vital to good citizenship, it was my decision that this motion be moved. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:- On a point of explanation, Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has asked for details. The figure that I quoted not long ago was 850,000 and I made allowance for slight deductions to make sure that my figures were within the figures that Government is likely to provide and subsidize. The figures are: 560,000 people by resettlement. 120,000 under Government low-cost housing at present under construction. 110,000 Housing Authority, which you query, but the figures were obtained from the Acting Commissioner for Housing and the details are- 1962/63 30,000 1963/64 30,000 1964/65 20,000 1965/66 15,000 1966/67 15,000 110,000 60,000 Housing Society, based on the Housing Society Annual Report, 1961, pages 32 and 33. 25,000 Government uniformed and disciplinary services. This covers chiefly Police, Fire Brigade, and Prisons programmes for married quarters. 875,000 people, but for safety's sake, I made it 850,000. I can let you have copies of these details, and where they were obtained. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I would very much like to have them. May I ask a question in clarification from the Honourable Director of Public Works? Based on what indications that have been made by Government as to provision of funds, will the Housing Authority be able to provide over the next 10 years, commencing 1963, accommodation for much more than 15,000 persons per annum? Page 85 of 150 Page 85 Page 86

Baseline (Original)

LLO 50 154 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL very many other commitments, and they have to be considered as a whole, including the financial commitment. In the circumstances I will abstain from voting. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, as an indication of the harmony in which this Council and its Members work, chiefly behind the scenes, I would like to confirm that Mr. SALES and I discussed over the 'phone the motion, and I recall that he suggested that it might be an idea to put it as a question. Having explained to him that it was a subject on which I had very strong conviction I preferred to move it as a motion. Nevertheless, it is an indication of the degree to which Appointed and Elected Members work closely together. I have to make one correction in what I said concerning the degree to which Government will be landlord for one-third of the population within the next ten years. I should have really said one-quarter, because in another ten years our population could be increased by another million. Mr. SALES has made reference to the advisability of avoiding use of the word "stampeding"-stampeding a housing programme without due regard to the need for funds for developing other services, and I cannot agree with him more and I think that that is the heart of the motion. If you will recall, Mr. Chairman, I would like to point out that the essence of my motion, apart from making strong reference to the public health and hygiene aspects, is that there is need, in my opinion, for Government to appoint a public body to co-ordinate and to plan housing over the next 10 years and beyond. As I have mentioned, this has been done by a small group of people, whom I most probably know in the Secretariat, and I have no doubt that they are sincere, hardworking and highly intelligent civil servants. But even so, when the plans put forward eventually reach the Governor in Council, before they are approved I do feel that it is necessary, Mr. Chairman-now that we are spending huge sums of money- that Govern- ment should appoint a public body, which could either be the Urban Council or the Housing Authority, to do the planning, to do the co- ordination, and to carry out the basic surveys. The Honourable Director of Public Works said that, apart from including the resettlement programme of 100,000 persons a year, he expects that there will be an additional provision of housing by Govern- ment or through subsidized housing of 70,000 more. I would like to question this because I raised this previously in an Urban Council meeting. I raised it in the Housing Authority. I cannot elaborate more because certain papers regarding the Housing Authority's 10-year pro- gramme are still confidential, but I question whether or not Government will be able to provide, in addition to the low-cost programme of 100,000, additional accommodation for another 70,000 persons. I said at the last meeting of the Urban Council that based on the information HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 155 which is at present available, Government, after 1963, will not be able to, or has so far not agreed, to provide additional funds to provide low- cost housing through the Housing Authority for more than 15,000 persons per annum. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, while I do not question the integrity of the Honourable Director of Public Works in supplying these figures, I still would like to get details of how the figure is arrived at. In view of the sincere belief I hold, which is that good housing is vital to good citizenship, it was my decision that this motion be moved. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-On a point of explanation, Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has asked for details. The figure that I quoted not long ago was 850,000 and I made allowance for slight deductions to make sure that my figures were within the figures that Government is likely to provide and subsidize. The figures are: 560,000 people by resettlement. 120,000 under Government low-cost housing at present under construction. 110,000 Housing Authority, which you query, but the figures were obtained from the Acting Commissioner for Housing and the details are- 1962/63 1963/64 1964/65 1965/66 1966/67 30,000 30,000 20,000 15,000 15,000 110,000 60,000 Housing Society, based on the Housing Society Annual Report, 1961, pages 32 and 33. 25,000 Government uniformed and disciplinary services. This covers chiefly Police, Fire Brigade, and Prisons pro- grammes for married quarters. 875,000 people, but for safety's sake, I made it 850,000. I can let you have copies of these details, and where they were obtained. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I would very much like to have them. May I ask a question in clarification from the Honourable Director of Public Works? Based on what indications that have been made by Govern- ment as to provision of funds, will the Housing Authority be able to provide over the next 10 years, commencing 1963, accommodation for much more than 15,000 persons per annum? Page 85 of 150 Page 85Page 86 BO

2026-05-13 17:41:47 · Baseline

View content

LLO

154

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

very many other commitments, and they have to be considered as a whole, including the financial commitment. In the circumstances I will abstain from voting.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, as

an indication of the harmony in which this Council and its Members work, chiefly behind the scenes, I would like to confirm that Mr. SALES and I discussed over the 'phone the motion, and I recall that he suggested that it might be an idea to put it as a question. Having explained to him that it was a subject on which I had very strong conviction I preferred to move it as a motion. Nevertheless, it is an indication of the degree to which Appointed and Elected Members work closely together. I have to make one correction in what I said concerning the degree to which Government will be landlord for one-third of the population within the next ten years. I should have really said one-quarter, because in another ten years our population could be increased by another million.

Mr. SALES has made reference to the advisability of avoiding use of the word "stampeding"-stampeding a housing programme without due regard to the need for funds for developing other services, and I cannot agree with him more and I think that that is the heart of the motion. If you will recall, Mr. Chairman, I would like to point out that the essence of my motion, apart from making strong reference to the public health and hygiene aspects, is that there is need, in my opinion, for Government to appoint a public body to co-ordinate and to plan housing over the next 10 years and beyond. As I have mentioned, this has been done by a small group of people, whom I most probably know in the Secretariat, and I have no doubt that they are sincere, hardworking and highly intelligent civil servants. But even so, when the plans put forward eventually reach the Governor in Council, before they are approved I do feel that it is necessary, Mr. Chairman-now that we are spending huge sums of money- that Govern- ment should appoint a public body, which could either be the Urban Council or the Housing Authority, to do the planning, to do the co- ordination, and to carry out the basic surveys.

The Honourable Director of Public Works said that, apart from including the resettlement programme of 100,000 persons a year, he expects that there will be an additional provision of housing by Govern- ment or through subsidized housing of 70,000 more. I would like to question this because I raised this previously in an Urban Council meeting. I raised it in the Housing Authority. I cannot elaborate more because certain papers regarding the Housing Authority's 10-year pro- gramme are still confidential, but I question whether or not Government will be able to provide, in addition to the low-cost programme of 100,000, additional accommodation for another 70,000 persons. I said at the last meeting of the Urban Council that based on the information

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

155

which is at present available, Government, after 1963, will not be able

to, or has so far not agreed, to provide additional funds to provide low-

cost

housing through the Housing Authority for more than 15,000

persons per annum. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, while I do not question the integrity of the Honourable Director of Public Works in supplying these figures, I still would like to get details of how the figure is arrived at. In view of the sincere belief I hold, which is that good housing is vital to good citizenship, it was my decision that this motion be moved.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-On a point of explanation, Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has asked for details. The figure that I quoted not long ago was 850,000 and I made allowance for slight deductions to make sure that my figures were within the figures that Government is likely to provide and subsidize. The figures are:

560,000 people by resettlement.

120,000 under Government low-cost housing at present under

construction.

110,000 Housing Authority, which you query, but the figures were obtained from the Acting Commissioner for Housing and the details are-

1962/63

1963/64

1964/65

1965/66

1966/67

30,000

20,000

15,000

110,000

60,000 Housing Society, based on the Housing Society Annual

Report, 1961, pages 32 and 33.

25,000 Government uniformed and disciplinary services. This covers chiefly Police, Fire Brigade, and Prisons pro- grammes for married quarters.

875,000 people, but for safety's sake, I made it 850,000.

I can let you have copies of these details, and where they were obtained.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I would very much like to have them. May I ask a question in clarification from the Honourable Director of Public Works? Based on what indications that have been made by Govern- ment as to provision of funds, will the Housing Authority be able to provide over the next 10 years, commencing 1963, accommodation for much more than 15,000 persons per annum?

1962 — Page 85

Edit History

Comments

Private Research Note