Democrats to exploit 'grey area' over housing means test

The Democratic Party is exploiting a grey area in the Basic Law in an attempt to scrap the proposed means test for public housing applicants.

Legal advice given to the party showed a private member's bill might be allowed as it could be argued that the Housing Authority, a publicly funded statutory body, might not constitute a government structure.

The Basic Law requires the Chief Executive's approval for all private members' bills affecting government bodies.

Party vice-chairman Dr Yeung Sum was confident the hurdle could be overcome.

'It is arguable whether the Housing Authority is a 100 per cent government structure.' There was a grey area with room to manoeuvre, he said.

The proposal was recently endorsed by the party and given priority among five bills to be pushed through.