Following is the transcript of the media session by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, after he attended a luncheon hosted by the Lions Clubs today (July 31):
Reporter: You have spent a lot of time today explaining the statistics on the supply side, when will we receive some real improvements? Analysts have also said your statistics are a bit over-optimistic because there is actually an excessive supply of flats than as what you have said? So what is your reaction to the analysts' criticism? When will we receive some concrete measures?
Mr Suen: I think the whole point of this presentation is to explain how we arrive at our figures. I try to explain the meaning behind various figures you have seen because different figures, although they pertain to giving the same picture of a phenomenon, always portray different aspects of the same phenomenon. In some cases, it may be portraying different perspectives. So it is very important that we know what we are talking about. That's why, I spend a lot of time trying to explain the rationale behind our method of determining how the statistics are to be compiled and how they are to be interpreted. Of course, this is for our critics to agree or not agree with me. There is a certain rationale in our doing it in this particular manner. So I would welcome those critics who do not agree with us to point out to us where we fall short of their expectation.
Reporter: When will we see some concrete measures?
Mr Suen: I think in terms of concrete measures, I have given my views on the supply side. Basically what I'm saying is that if you look at the statistics of the commencement of works, the number has been decreasing throughout the last three years. There is of course a direct co-relation between commencement of works and completion of projects. There is a time lag of three to four years. So if you see a decrease in the trend for three to four years, that will be reflected in the production over the next few years. So that is where we draw our main conclusion.
Reporter: Mr Suen, . . . under pressure from private developers; because of the suspension of HOS ...?
Reporter: Last November, we have looked at the housing situation very carefully and we have repositioned our policy in terms of the provision of housing for different classes of people in Hong Kong. We have said that we would exit the market where the market could provide, we would not compete with them. In terms of the HOS market, we have decided to withdraw from it for this reason. In fact from the end of last year, we are concentrating on the provision of housing for those who are in need of public housing and can't afford private housing. That's why we have got a policy target of providing rental public housing for those who can't afford it and those who are on the Waiting List.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
End/Thursday, July 31, 2003
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