Street sleepers not left out

I MUST thank A. Rodriguez for his letter ''Walled City elderly sleep on street'' (Post January 5) as it gives me an opportunity to put the record straight on these street sleepers.

Contrary to a statement published in a Post story on December 30 that ''more than 20 former residents'' from the Walled City are camping out, surveys conducted by City and New Territories Administration staff have spotted only 10 individuals who appear to camp out on a roster basis, as only seven beds have been counted at night time.

Of the 10 street sleepers, who have been offered a total of over $9.7 million in compensation, four are ineligible for rehousing because they did not live in the Walled City.

Of the remaining six, one is ineligible because she is already a tenant of a public housing unit, one has already used his eligibility from the Walled City clearance to buy a home ownership scheme flat, one has accepted the Government's offer of compensation, and one has accepted a compensation offer but now wishes to change its terms.

The last two have yet to decide which of the rehousing options on offer they wish to take.

I resent the accusation in the letter of Government procrastination and ''passing the buck''. Concerted efforts have been made to conclude compensation agreements with all Walled City claimants.