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Following is a transcript of a media session delivered by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands cum Chairman of Hong Kong Housing Authority, Mr Michael Suen, on the Court of Final Appeal (CFA)'s ruling on the Housing Authority's decision to defer rent review after the Greater China Culture Global Association Opening Ceremony today (November 21) (English portion):
Reporter: Despite the CFA ruling, any relief measures for tenants?
Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands: The Housing Authority will be meeting this afternoon to review the situation and to discuss the way forward in the light of the judgment handed down by the Court of Final Appeal. Of course, we heard certain requests for consideration of relief measures. At this moment, I can only say that we will keep all options open. The important thing is to go through the details of the judgment to see whether there are any considerations that we need to be careful of before we make any decisions.
Reporter: This is an on-going issue for quite a number of years, how are you going to address the urgency for tenants and their concern?
Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands: As I said, the Housing Authority will meet this afternoon to consider the details of the judgment and we will be considering any request for relief measures from the tenants. But I can't say at this moment what these might be. All that I am prepared to say is that we will keep all options open.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Monday, November 21, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:48
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