About 99 hectares of land is readily available for private housing development, Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen says, adding that 295 hectares will be available for different uses in the next five years.

Mr Suen told legislators today the Government is responsible for providing sufficient land to meet the needs of developers. But the actual timetable for land supply depends on the actual needs of the community and market conditions.

As the Government does not know long-term market development, it considers it inappropriate to draw up an Application List for a longer period to avoid confusing the market.

"The Government will continue to draw up the Application List on a yearly basis having regard to the needs of the market," he said.

Mr Suen did not agree that the market is showing any signs of future short supply and assured that the Government will monitor the flat supply situation closely and will provide sufficient land for housing development in a timely manner.