In view of the economic restructuring, the Government will simplify  procedures and enhance  flexibility for industrial land use as well as examining the feasibility of premium payment by instalment for a change in land use, Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen said today.

He said the Government will also ensure the best use of all available housing and lands resources and promote the efficient use of resources among public and private parties.

Speaking at the Legislative Council this evening, Mr Suen said his bureau aims to implement measures on housing policy announced last year.

"As to how the property market would react to these measures, this would depend very much on the public confidence and external economic factors.

"After the current supply and demand imbalance has been rectified, the property market will continue to develop healthily," he added.

Premised on the principle of maintaining a fair and stable operating environment, he said the Government will withdraw from playing the role of property developer by halting the production and sale of subsidised flats and minimising its intervention in the private property sector.

On planning and lands policies, he said a comprehensive monitoring mechanism and an early warning system would be put in place to ensure the timely provision of land for residential development.

On building maintenance, he said: "We will consider how to encourage property owners to provide regular maintenance to their buildings.

To improve the regulatory regime of buildings and building works, the Government plans to introduce the Buildings (Amendment) Bill into the Legislative Council in the current legislative session.

The Bill involves a number of proposals, including the introduction of a new category of "minor works" to enable qualified building professionals and contractors to undertake specified minor works.