Eighteen vacant units at Housing Authority factory estates will be auctioned for tenants affected by the clearance of Tai Wo Hau Factory Estate, at a restricted tender exercise on May 18.

These units are located at Chun Shing and Kwai On Factory Estates in Kwai Chung; Hoi Tai Factory Estate in Tuen Mun and Sui Fai Factory Estate in Sha Tin.

Deputy Director of Lau Kai-hung said another 1.3 million square metres of factory space is also available in the private sector, according to Rating & Valuation Department records.

Mr Lau said the Government understands the tenants' difficulties in relocating, and they will be offered help by it.

He said the levels of ex-gratia allowances payable to the affected tenants, ranging from $2,717 to $5,070 per square metre or equivalent to seven to 10 years' rent, are far higher than levels of allowances offered by the Government in land resumption exercises.