Govt To Buy Land Worth HK$20bn For Welfare Centres

The government will use HK$20 billion to purchase land for around 60 properties to house welfare facilities such as day childcare centres, neighbourhood elderly centres, and on-site pre-school rehabilitation services.

In his budget speech on Wednesday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the shortage of welfare facilities is particularly acute in densely-populated areas. He said the new facilities are expected to benefit around 86,000 people.

Chan said the government plans to provide more than 500 additional residential care places and 300 subsidised day care places for the elderly in the next two years.

The secretary said the idea isn't a new one and the government had done something similar in 1995.

But Labour Party lawmaker Fernando Cheung said the "rare" move may give rise to collusion between the government and private businesses.

"This is a major departure from how we utilise public dollars. In making land and premises available for social welfare facilities, we have never heard of the government purchasing private property for that purpose," he said.

Cheung told RTHK's Candice Wong that there should be a proper discussion about this method before it is implemented.