Vacant islands with limited development potential have been recommended for landscape protection and conservation in view of their ecological and scenic values, Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen says.

Responding to a query from legislator Sin Chung-kai today, Mr Suen said the development potential of these islands has been studied, among other things, in the context of the sub-regional Development Strategy Reviews.

Review findings concluded that the scope for commercial development on these islands or for them to be sold is rather limited.

He explained that the potential is severely constrained by the islands' physical endowment, such as the lack of developable land, poor accessibility and lack of infrastructure and resources such as water and electricity.

If vacant government land is considered suitable for development, it will be disposed of with reference to the prevailing planning and land disposal policies, he added.