********************************
Reporter: (subdivided units and rental control)
Secretary for Transport and Housing: First of all, upon receipt of this consultation report, actually the report was submitted to the Chief Executive today, the Government will then have to follow up the recommendations and the observations, findings as contained in the consultation report. We aim to complete the formulation of the Government's Long Term Housing Strategy within this year and of course we will in due course announce the Long Term Housing Strategy. Now as to the issues of subdivided units and rental control, we think that there was already ample opportunity during the three-month public consultation period for various views to be aired. So I think the sentiments on all sides are quite clear. Of course these issues are not strict forward issues. They involve multiple aspects. There are pros and cons. There are long term consequences that any policy has to take into account. So the Government of course has to look at those views very carefully. I think whatever solution we come up with must be enforceable, effective, and must not give rise to adverse consequences.
Reporter: (Government's view on rental control)
Secretary for Transport and Housing: The Government's position on rental control has always been consistent. We are worried about the adverse consequences of any rental control scheme. However, of course we take note of the sentiments particularly among the grassroots and some social concern groups in favour of rent control. We're also aware of views against rent control, so that's why I said that the Government would do more to explain to the community all the possible consequences of any rental control scheme and I think our community should be better informed about any ideas that have emerged from this consultation.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, February 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:31
NNNN
