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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ought to be represented so that we may cover ground more adequately and take into account their train of thought. (Laughter)

CHAIRMAN:-Mr. CHEONG-LEEN, we are in your hands, will you ask question No. 9? (Laughter)

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, this sounds more like an appeal, otherwise I would have requested permission to ask Mr. Sales

a supplementary through you.

(9) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

Can the Commissioner for Resettlement inquire from Govern- ment as to how soon will it be possible for future new resettlement type of housing estates to be converted to Government-type of low-cost housing estates?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows : ·

I have assumed that Mr. CHEONG-LEEN is inquiring when Government will build new domestic resettlement blocks to the same pattern and standards of finish as low-cost housing blocks. There has been no decision as such that the two forms of housing should be identical. In practice, the latest 16-storey Mark IV domestic resettlement blocks (and the Mark V ones coming) provide accommodation of much the same pattern as in Government low-cost housing blocks. This accommodation consists of a room with a balcony, private lavatory and individual water supply. The difference between them lies not in the in- ternal layout of the accommodation but in the space offered and the types of doors and windows provided. Resettlement rooms are allocated on the basis of 24 sq. ft. per adult; Government low-cost housing 35 sq. ft. per adult.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Could the Commissioner for Resettlement state whether in his view, the type of accommodation in resettlement estates the new Mark V estates which are coming up-could be con- sidered as identical in quality as compared to what is to be found in Government low-cost housing accommodation?

COMMISSIONER for ResettleMENT: —No, Mr. Chairman, I do not think they can be identical. As I said, there is a certain difference in space offered and the type of doors and windows provided. In practice I think you will find the doors and windows provide the basic difference between the two types of blocks.

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MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, perhaps the Commissioner for Resettlement is aware that there is a growing need for better quality low- cost housing, especially in what is being provided now and in the future for resettlement type of accommodation. Now, does Government con- template eventually bringing up the quality of resettlement accommoda- tion to that of Government low-cost housing?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Mr. Chairman, I would not like to say exactly what Government has in mind, because I really do not know myself. But the intention is always to improve facilities in resettlement blocks as best they can be, bearing in mind of course that every improvement must cost more in initial construction of the block, and therefore must be reflected in the rent charged. It is the basic idea, of course, always to keep rent as low as possible within that limit. I imagine Government will try its best to improve matters. I don't see any deliberate attempt to identify low-cost housing and resettlement blocks together. They do of course serve completely different categories of people.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, surely the Commissioner for Resettlement is aware that there is more and more of a demand for better quality housing in Government resettlement estates, and I think the majority of people who are moving into our resettlement estates would be quite happy if they could be offered Government-type low- cost housing. Now as far as the Commissioner for Resettlement is aware, has Government considered the possibility of up-grading the re- settlement type of housing in the near future to a similar level to that of Government low-cost type of housing?

CHAIRMAN:-I do not think that is a fair question to the Com- missioner for Resettlement.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I am asking as far as he is aware.

CHAIRMAN:-(to Commissioner for Resettlement). Are you aware?

(Laughter)

man.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I am not aware, Mr. Chair- I would like to point out that the difference at the moment lies in doors and windows primarily. I do not think one can complain too much about different doors and windows. The accommodation other- wise is much the same.

ence,

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, if that is really the only differ- then has the Resettlement Department considered recommending to this Council and to Government, the advisability of dropping the name of "resettlement" or "resettlement type of housing" from now on, and simply calling them "low-cost housing"?