§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal what representations the Hong Kong Government have received from the Yaumati Six Street Owners Association concerning proposed expiration of its lease and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BlakerThe association's request for re-grants of expired leases was considered by the Executive Council in October 1979. Following the Executive Council's decision not to re-grant the leases, the association appealed to the Office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils in April 1980, which decided not to intervene. The association recently applied to the planning board for permission to redevelop the site. The board has rejected it, noting that the leases of the properties have already expired and have not been re-granted.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will meet a delegation from the Yaumati Six Street Owners Association to discuss a further lease of its land.
§ Mr. BlakerI would meet such a delegation if asked. However, I regard this as a matter which is primarily the responsibility of the Hong Kong Government.
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§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if the Hong Kong Government will give an assurance that the land leased by the Yaumati Six Street Owners Association will be totally used for open space and that none will be used for development if the present lease is not renewed.
§ Mr. BlakerI understand that the site occupied by the lease-expired properties is intended for development as a district open space and a school in the Hong Kong Government's outline zoning plan. The site will be used only for these purposes.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what leases on land used for housing which expired in Hong Kong during the past 10 years were not renewed;
(2) what is the policy of the Hong Kong Government regarding the expiration of land leases for (a) housing, (b) industrial purposes and (c) public purposes.
§ Mr. BlakerThe Hong Kong Government announced in 1949 that any land granted between 1870 and 1925 on 75-year non-renewable leases would be re-granted for a further 75 years subject to the payment of a premium, except where the land was required for public purposes. In such cases, the Government decided in 1952 that ex-gratia compensation would be paid for any building lawfully erected on the land. Details of individual leases which have expired in the last 10 years are not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member about these as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal what Department of the Hong Kong Government has authority concerning the re-leasing of land.
§ Mr. BlakerApplications for re-grants of the type of lease in question are processed by the Crown Lands and Survey Office in the Public Works Department. The Secretary for the Environment is responsible for matters of policy.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied with the liaison between Government Departments in Hong Kong concerning the re-leasing of Crown land.
§ Mr. BlakerYes.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the current 332W situation concerning the Yaumati Six Street lease which has been raised with the Hong Kong Government.
§ Mr. BlakerOn the list of April 1980 the properties in question came under the direct management of the Hong Kong Government, pending development of the planned open space and school, on the following terms:
- (a) former owners in residence in the lease-expired properties become principal rent-paying tenants of the Hong Kong Government and are allowed to collect rent from existing sub-tenants;
- (b) in addition, ex-gratia compensation (at the rate of HK$6,000 per floor) is paid to all former owners of property transferred to direct management;
- (c) no-one has been evicted from the buildings as a result of the direct management action;
- (d) all genuine occupants will be offered public housing as and when the properties are required for redevelopment, They will also receive such ex-gratia assistance as the Hong Kong Government may offer at the time of clearance.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if the Yaumati Six Street Owners Association received an assurance from a Department of the Hong Kong Government that their lease would be renewed; and if this assurance was honoured by the Government.
§ Mr. BlakerOn 3 November 1976 representatives of the former owners received a letter from a Department of the Hong Kong Government which suggested that their leases would be re-granted. Although given in good faith, this advice was misleading since the area was already subject to the Yaumati outline zoning plan and the type of leases sought could not be re-granted. A letter clarifying the position and correcting the letter of 3 November was sent to the representatives on 17 November 1976.