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too premature to commence with any plans to recruit additional staff required for this purpose. Naturally, we are anxious that this project will not be further delayed. However, there is one additional post which is at present under consideration, that is for the appointment of one Museum Assistant for the educational service which is being currently developed.

As to the formal training of existing staff, it is at present concentrated upon that for Museum Assistants. One Museum Assistant is at the moment undertaking a 3- year Laboratory Technician's Course at the Hong Kong Technical College and this can lead to his eligibility to enrol for the Technical Diploma of the Museums Associa- tion in London. Two other Museum Assistants have completed part-time evening courses relevant to their duties.

The Curator himself has made use of his periods of leave in Britain to attend courses organized by the Museums Association leading to their Diploma, and it is planned as opportunity arises to send staff of the Assistant Curator level on a one year post-graduate course in the Depart- ment of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester which, at present, is the only university in Britain to offer professional museum training. This course also can lead to the Diploma of the Museums Association. Other training possibilities being tentatively examined include a course begun by the Institute for Technical Interchange of the East-West Centre, Honolulu, which may be relevant, and in-service training with other museums in the Far East for the Museum Assistant grade.

(6) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:

Will the Commissioner for Resettlement state what differences there are between the Government Low-Cost Housing Scheme and the Resettlement Mark VI Estates as to building costs, accommodation standards, rents and management costs per unit?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows :-

The first of the Mark VI resettlement blocks are still under construction and the rents, which will include an element for management costs, have not yet been fixed. The original estimate of the capital cost, when compared with

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Government Low Cost Housing flats, has been revised, and it is now estimated that the capital cost of the latter is approximately 14% higher. It has been agreed that the same general accommodation standard will apply and the only significant difference will be in the size of the structural grid and in the standard of finish.

MR. SALES: Sir, If the difference between the Mark VI and Government Low-Cost Housing is so relatively small, will it not permit us to move forward, as all Members of the Council would like to see the Government do, in dispensing with resettlement and embarking solely on Government Low-Cost Housing so that a better type of management would also be introduced, thus leading to a better standard of living altogether. Would that not be a correct course to be taken in the circumstances?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Sir, I think Mr. SALES is possibly anticipating the answer to his next question. The matter is, of course, under consideration by Government and these points are under consideration.

MR. SALES: “Consideration" covers a multitude of sins. How long will that last?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: -I think Mr. SALES is aware that this, again to anticipate his future question, is one of the recom- mendations of the Housing Board. This is due to be considered by this Council in a week's time, and the recommendations of this Council will be forwarded to the Governor-in-Council, I hope within the very near future.

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, even before the Housing Board made that recommendation, was the Government not aware of the sentiments of the Members of the Urban Council, and the Housing Authority, on this particular matter which we have always put forward rather articulately, if not vociferously?

COMMISSIONER for ResettlEMENT:-I am not sure I can answer that, Mr. Chairman. All I can say is that, whatever the past history may be, it is now being taken up.

MR. BLAKER: Mr. Chairman, I am not entirely clear by what is meant by "capital cost of the latter is approximately 14% higher". Does this mean that a six-man flat is 14% more expensive, or does it mean that the cost per sq. ft. is 14% higher. I am particularly con- fused, in that, reading the Housing Board report, I think it mentions that the cost of the present Low-Cost Housing flat is $100 more than the Mark VI resettlement flat.