PERMITS GRANTED FOR RETENTION OF UNAUTHORISED TEMPORARY HOUSES

Dato Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat asked the Prime Minister under what circumstances will permits be granted for the retention of unauthorised temporary houses, and whether such permits will be granted to unauthorised temporary houses built after 1st June, 1959.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Mr Chan Sun Wing) (for the Prime Minister) (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, I was asked by the Prime Minister to answer this questions.

The answer depends upon whether it is State land or private land that is affected.

As regards State land, the policy is that encroachments will not be permitted under any circumstances. All unauthorised structures on State land are demolished summarily whenever and wherever found. Where unauthorised houses are already in existence, the Government has decided to evict the occupants only in those cases where the land is required immediately for public development. In other cases, and until such time as the land is required for public development, the unauthorised occupation will be regularised by requiring the occupant to pay a fee for a Temporary Occupation Licence. The quantum of the fee is according to a sliding scale, having regard to the area of land occupied, the locality and such other factors. A portion of the fee will be credited to the tenant's account, will accumulate each month, and will be refunded to him when he demolishes the house and vacates the site. All fees are payable with effect from 1st January, 1960.

Concerning private land, the policy is that action will be taken against all unauthorised houses. As regards unauthorised houses already in existence, permits for retention may be issued under the following conditions only:-

(i) the land owner's permission has been given to the occupier of the unauthorised structure;

(ii) the unauthorised house is or can be made structurally sound and does not constitute a fire or health hazard;

(iii) Court action has not resulted in the issue of a Mandatory Order, and conditions (i) and (ii) have been complied with.