Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing cum the Chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session after the HA's regular open meeting today (January 22):
 
Reporter: Secretary, when do you expect that you can meet the three-year target, at least not for another five years? Also, another question about the co-location bill. Is the schedule likely going to be end of this month, as you said before? Or do you think the government really needs to start rethink because the Law Society also asked for clarification of the legal basis.
 
Secretary for Transport and Housing: In respect of the time required for a public rental housing applicant to get admitted into the public housing, I must admit that, at this moment in time, the waiting time is still very long for those who are waiting for public rental housing. We do not expect that to be in compliance with the three years waiting time. But in any case, we are dedicated and committed to find more land to build more houses or flats for those who are in need of a decent accommodation. At the same time, we are also exploring various alternatives, such as community housing and the deployment of so called "vacant units"in public housing estate, which is due for demolishment.
 
ýÿ     When we are talking about 20,000 housing units each year, and at the same time we are working on 84 units on vacant public rental housing, you know how difficult and tough the situation we are facing. But rest assured, the Housing Authority, the Housing Society, and the Transport and Housing Bureau and as far as the Special Administrative Region are concerned, we are committed to find more land to build more flats and to allow fellow citizens to move in public rental housing as soon as we can.
 
ýÿ     But it is a tough battle ahead of us, and we would appeal to District Councils, the Town Planning Board and various stakeholders to give us support when we are putting up proposals to build public rental housing and also Home Ownership Scheme. Thank you.
 
Reporter: My question just now is when the bill will be submitted to LegCo (Legislative Council)? Is it by the end of this month? Or do you think we really need to stop and think because the Law Society also thinks we need more clarification now?
 
Secretary for Transport and Housing: As far as co-location is concerned, we have to appreciate if we are going to make the express rail (Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link) operational by the end of third quarter, there is every reason for us to rush the bill through the legislature because it would take time for the Legislative Councillors to discuss and deliberate, and also to enable the Bills Committee members to have a thorough examination of the bill clause by clause. We are still following the timetable to table the bill for consideration by the legislature (at the) latest before early February and the timetable still applies as of today.

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

Ends/Monday, January 22, 2018
Issued at HKT 20:33

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