1966 — Page 133

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be resettled between November this year and April 1967. The remainder numbering about 6,600 should be resettled about September next year and March 1968.

I must, however, emphasize that these dates, particularly the later ones, are tentative and depend on the completion of blocks at Shek Pai Wan estate.

MRS. ELLIOTT: Mr. Chairman, I didn't expect to have an answer on the first part from the Commissioner for Resettlement, because I would like to ask if the Sanitary Department can inspect this area. The people's huts are standing in stagnant and filthy water. I think some inspection should be made from the health angle. Would that be possible?

CHAIRMAN: Yes, Mrs. ELLIOTT. I will be glad to go and have a look at it myself.

MRS. ELLIOTT: Thank you.

(18) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:

Is the road to the Sau Mau Ping Estate completed and if so, when will the bus service be extended to the tenants there?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:

The road to Stage I of this estate was completed some time ago. The present temporary terminus serving the estate is sited at the bottom of the hill on which the estate stands. An overhead pedestrian footbridge from the estate leads down to the bus terminus.

2.

3.

A permanent bus terminus will be sited between Stages I and II of the estate when Stage II is completed and it will then be possible to dispense with the present temporary terminus.

I am unable to state for the present whether the temporary terminus could be sited higher up the road or whether the bus company is prepared at this stage to operate their services to a higher level. These points, however, are being looked into.

(19) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:

Government resettlement schemes have proved to be an effective factor for stabilising the lower echelon of the community. Some old resettlement estates such as Li Cheng Uk, Shek Kip Mei and other were designed and built about 10 years ago. Does Government contemplate replacing such old estates with new resettlement buildings?

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munity. Some old resettlement estates such as Li Cheng Uk, Shek Kip Mei and other were designed and built about 10 years ago. Does Government contemplate re-placing such old estates with new resettlement buildings?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR Resettlement replied as follows:

The answer is that Government has no such intention at present. In this connection, I would also refer Mr. Hu to the last paragraph of my reply to the eighth question on the order paper.

MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, may I ask how long did the original planner intend resettlement buildings to last?

CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hu, did you say how long did the original planner?

MR. HU: Yes, planner.

CHAIRMAN: I do not think there was an original planner.

MR. HU: The original planner of these old resettlement estates. How long did they intend these buildings to last.

CHAIRMAN: It may be possible for the Director of Public Works to give an answer in respect of the structural strength, but I think you are getting at a different aspect. The true answer to that is: no-one thought that far ahead.

MR. HU: That probably would be the position, Mr. Chairman. Then could the Director of Public Works give us an estimate of how long they will last? (Laughter).

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: I cannot see any reason why they shouldn't last at least forty years. That was the basis of the rents.

MR. HU: Thank you for that Mr. Chairman. Could I ask another supplementary question? What are the pros and cons of demolishing the present old estates and replacing them with the new buildings?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: The pros are obvious. The cons I think are--if you are going to demolish and replace--you have got to put the existing residents somewhere else. That means competing with all the other people in urgent need of housing, and perhaps in even more urgent need than the residents of the old estates themselves.

MR. HU: Thank you.

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