SDEV speaks on unauthorised building works at New Territories exempted houses

Following is a transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 31) on unauthorised building works at New Territories (NT) exempted houses:

Reporter: (About illegal structures)

Secretary for Development: What I would say to the villagers is what I have said previously. As long as our policy to tackle the unauthorised building works in the NT village houses is a policy which is rational, which is legal, which has the support of the majority of Hong Kong's population, then I don't think it will be affected by the change of administration. And that's why it is very important for me today, on March 31, to tell you categorically that we will enforce the law according to our plan tomorrow, on April 1.

Reporter: ......

Secretary for Development: There will be no change in policy because the policy has the support of the people. You have to believe that there is continuity in all sorts of policies that the administration is implementing, and particularly in this particular policy, we have been discussing it in the public domain with the Legislative Council for over a year. And I truly believe that the policy, the various measures and the support and assistance we are going to render to the villagers have the full support of the Hong Kong population. So I appeal to the rural community to continue to cooperate with us so that we can demonstrate to all the people of Hong Kong that this is a place where the rule of law prevails.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Saturday, March 31, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:00

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