Page 145 of 206
268
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MOTION
CHAIRMAN: ---Ladies and gentlemen, before we move to today's agenda, I would like to welcome back Mr. ROBSON, from what I hope was an interesting and useful trip in China. I would also like to welcome Mr. F. K. Li wearing his new hat as Director of Social Welfare. We would like to congratulate him on his appointment and hope that he will have an interesting time with us. (Applause).
We now resume the debate on our "Statement of Aims for 1973". The first speaker of this afternoon is Mr. Raymond KAN.
(Mr. Peter P. F. CHAN arrived at this point.)
MR. RAYMOND KAN (In Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, through the concerted efforts of its Government and the whole population, Hong Kong has seen continuous prosperity and progress. On the aspect of living standards, a general raise has been observed. Nevertheless, among the four main household expenditure overheads, housing heads the list. In other words, rents and selling prices of houses have been registering long-range increases, not only rising above the growing rates of other commodities, but also pushing up the consumer price index. To solve the housing shortage and to lower the levels of rent can therefore be taken as current pre-requisites.
According to a report by the Government Housing Policy Committee, up to the end of March this year, there was a population of 1,667,000 residing in Government-built houses, while those occupying private tenement flats total approximately 2,000,000. Among 4 million inhabitants, there are still several hundred thousand people not yet permanently re-accommodated. Of this number, about 300,000 are living in squatter huts or temporary structures. This reflects Government's efforts towards building houses as well as the good measure of success that has been achieved.
In his report tabled at the Legislative Council meeting on 18.10.72, H.E. the Governor, Sir Murray MACLEHOSE, made a thorough review of current public housing projects. He also revealed that Government had drawn up a plan to use $3,340 million within 10 years to reach the target of providing housing for 1,800,000 people. Furthermore, the existing Housing Authority would be expanded to take up the responsibility of implementing and fulfilling this huge project which, if successful, would enable our massive citizenry to live in a remarkably improved and ideal environment.
A very obvious fact is that Government has taken well-planned steps towards the provision of public housing. But I also feel that private and commercial establishments, in building tenement flats for rent or sale, have also contributed a large share over the past years. Yet their potentials are still not fully explored. If Government gives them encouragement and assistance, even larger success can be attained in solving Hong Kong's housing problems. Of course, these commercial establishments are profit-making in nature so that some people in the community may not agree to my idea. But we must not forget that the progress and prosperity enjoyed by our community are in every respect dependent upon the efforts of people in industrial and commercial strata. Unless indulging in speculation or profiteering, our commercial establishments, even though profit-making, do have a share of contribution to the local community.
Speaking on the present demand, I find that there is an acute shortage of land available for development in the urban area. This is the main cause for a rise in the value of buildings. Thus, a relaxation in the restriction of pre-war premises would be an effective way to cope with the situation. This will encourage a re-development of the old premises in the urban area and once new buildings are to be built on the old sites, they should rise as high up as possible. In so doing, the supply of residential urban space will be greatly increased. At present, there are about 8,000 - 9,000 pre-war buildings. After re-development, there will be 120,000 domestic units which are capable of housing 700,000-odd persons. This means that they will accommodate four times as many people as they do now and will enable government to solve the housing problem earlier than expected.
(Mr. Henry H. L. HU arrived at this point.)
In the urban areas, we should try to re-develop as many old buildings as possible and to build more domestic premises as this will obviously benefit the livelihood of the citizens and the construction plan of the Government. As far as the citizens are concerned, they can save time and money in their travelling and meals if their working places are close to the place where they reside. Indirectly, it would also lessen the burden of public transport and ease traffic congestions. Of course, those who are now living on old premises must be suitably protected.
There are other ways in assisting developers to build commercial premises, such as to supply large quantities of Crown land by public auction within a short period; to plan for the development of large pieces of Crown land by commercial enterprises and to submit such plan to government for approval so that subject to a strict restriction on profit margin, to carry out development within the prescribed short period; or to assist religious organizations or non-profit-making institutes to build staff welfare quarters by offering them reasonable conditions of grant.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
269
Page 145
Page 146
06
Pag
Page 145 of 206
268
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MOTION
CHAIRMAN: ---Ladies and gentlemen, before we move to today's agenda, I would like to welcome back Mr. ROBSON, from what I hope was an interesting and useful trip in China. I would also like to welcome Mr. F. K. Li wearing his new hat as Director of Social Welfare. We would like to congratulate him on his appointment and hope that he will have an interesting time with us. (Applause).
We now resume the debate on our "Statement of Aims for 1973". The first speaker of this afternoon is Mr. Raymond KAN.
(Mr. Peter P. F. CHAN arrived at this point.)
MR. RAYMOND KAN (In Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, through the concerted efforts of its Government and the whole population, Hong Kong has seen continuous prosperity and progress. On the aspect of living standards, a general raise has been observed. Nevertheless, among the four main household expenditure overheads, housing heads the list. In other words, rents and selling prices of houses have been registering long-range increases, not only rising above the growing rates of other commodities, but also pushing up the consumer price index. To solve the housing shortage and to lower the levels of rent can there. fore be taken as current pre-requisites.
According to a report by the Government Housing Policy Com- mittee, up to the end of March this year, there was a population of 1,667,000 residing in Government-built houses, while those occupying private tenement flats total approximately 2,000,000. Among 4 million inhabitants, there are still several hundred thousand people not yet permanently re-accommodated. Of this number, about 300,000 are living in squatter huts or temporary structures. This reflects Govern- ment's efforts towards building houses as well as the good measure of success that has been achieved.
In his report tabled at the Legislative Council meeting on 18.10.72, H.E. the Governor, Sir Murray MACLEHOSE, made a thorough review of current public housing projects. He also revealed that Government had drawn up a plan to use $3,340 million within 10 years to reach the target of providing housing for 1,800,000 people. Furthermore, the existing Housing Authority would be expanded to take up the responsibility of implementing and fulfilling this huge project which, if successful, would enable our massive citizenry to live in a remarkably improved and ideal environment.
A very obvious fact is that Government has taken well-planned steps towards the provision of public housing. But I also feel that private and commercial establishments, in building tenement flats for
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
269
rent or sale, have also contributed a large share over the past years. Yet their potentials are still not fully explored. If Government gives them encouragement and assistance, even larger success can be attained in solving Hong Kong's housing problems. Of course these com- mercial establishments are profit-making in nature so that some people in the community may not agree to my idea. But we must not forget that the progress and prosperity enjoyed by our community are in every respect dependent upon the efforts of people in industrial and commercial strata. Unless indulging in speculation or profiteering, our commercial establishments, even though profit-making, do have a share of contribution to the local community.
Speaking on the present demand, I find that there is an acute shortage of land available for development in the urban area. This is the main cause for a rise in the value of buildings. Thus a relaxa- tion in the restriction of pre-war premises would be an effective way to cope with the situation. This will encourage a re-development of the old premises in the urban area and once new buildings are to be built on the old sites, they should rise as high up as possible. In so doing, the supply of residential urban space will be greatly increased. At present, there are about 8,000 - 9,000 pre-war buildings. After re-development, there will be 120,000 domestic units which are capable of housing 700,000-odd persons. This means that they will accommo- date four times as many people as they do now and will enable government to solve the housing problem earlier than expected.
(Mr. Henry H. L. HU arrived at this point.)
In the urban areas, we should try to re-develop as many old buildings as possible and to build more domestic premises as this will obviously benefit the livelihood of the citizens and the construction plan of the Government. As far as the citizens are concerned, they can save time and money in their travelling and meals if their working places are close to the place where they reside. Indirectly, it would also lessen the burden of public transport and ease traffic congestions. Of course, those who are now living on old premises, must be suitably protected.
There are other ways in assisting developers to build commercial premises, such as to supply large quantities of Crown land by public auction within a short period; to plan for the development of large pieces of Crown land by commercial enterprises and to submit such plan to government for approval so that subject to a strict restriction on profit margin, to carry out development within the prescribed short period; or to assist religious organizations or non-profit-making institutes to build staff welfare quarters by offering them reasonable conditions of grant.
Page 145Page 146
06
Pag
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.