Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho says the Government will consider expert opinion on Queen's Pier's future, and work to preserve parts with historic value.

He said on a radio talk show today that another series of consultations on heritage conservation will launch this month to devise forward-looking policies and a comprehensive assessment mechanism with the public.

Under the present mechanism, he said the historic and architectural values of built heritage as well as its relation with Hong Kong's history and prominent figures will be considered. As the public also cherishes collective memory and social values, Dr Ho said there is a need to incorporate these two elements into the assessment mechanism.

On the 496 graded historic buildings, Dr Ho said these are not statutory antiquities and monuments. However, the Government will closely monitor their situation and see if their grading needs to be raised for better preservation.

Noting that about 200 graded historic buildings are privately owned, Dr Ho said the Government will respect the owners' rights and seek their views before naming the buildings as statutory antiquities and monuments. A fund may also be set up to ensure historic buildings have proper maintenance and repair.