ENG-2004 — Page 299

Land, Public Works and Utilities 1 249

The Slope Maintenance Section of the Lands Department, with the assistance of private consultants, carries out regular inspections on these slopes and employs contractors to undertake routine maintenance works and, where required, stabilisation works. The works are prioritised according to the level of risk posed to life and properties in the event of landslides. During 2004, routine works were carried out on 5 100 slopes and stabilisation works on 168 slopes.

The Lands Department administers the Small House Policy to meet the housing needs of indigenous villagers in the New Territories. District Lands Offices grant indigenous villagers permission to build small houses and approve the rebuilding of old village houses. They also issue short-term tenancies, short-term waivers or government land licences for rebuilding temporary domestic structures.

On the control and enforcement fronts, the Lands Department exercises its authority under the Land (Miscellaneous Provision) Ordinance and the Summary Offences Ordinance and takes enforcement action which include the prosecution of offenders against illegal occupation, dumping, excavation, cultivation or other forms of trespass on government land. The Department has also participated in joint actions against Dengue Fever and Japanese Encephalitis and 2 600 operations were conducted in 2004 for the removal of vegetation and stagnant water on government land. In addition, a total of 810 letters were issued to warn holders of government leases principally in respect of unauthorised conversion of permitted uses.

The Lands Department, in collaboration with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, continued to operate the scheme for the display of non- commercial publicity materials or banners at 22 371 designated spots in public places.

Government Conveyancing

The Legal Advisory and Conveyancing Office of the Lands Department provides professional legal services to the Government in respect of all government land transactions and associated matters. It is responsible for the drafting of all government land disposal, lease modification and acquisition documents, and the apportionment and recovery of arrears of government rents (by re-entry or vesting action), other than those payable under the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance.

It provides conveyancing services to The Financial Secretary Incorporated for the extension of non-renewable leases, The Secretary for Home Affairs Incorporated for the purchase of accommodation for welfare purposes in private developments and other government departments in relation to various loan schemes.

The office also processes applications for the sale of units in uncompleted developments that are subject to the Lands Department Consent Scheme. In 2003, the office conducted a review of the Consent Scheme with a view to further strengthening its operation and to improving consumer protection for flat purchasers. The Lands Department has implemented the improvement measures since July 2004.