The Antiquities & Monuments Office has spent over $16.75 million on restoration and maintenance of historic buildings in the last three years, Secretary for Development Carrie Lam says.

Within this total $3.13 million was used to restore urban historic buildings and the remainder spent on the maintenance of antique structures in the New Territories.

Mrs Lam today told lawmakers the Government will expand the coverage of the financial assistance scheme for repairs and restoration from the current coverage of privately-owned declared monuments or deemed monuments to privately-owned graded historic buildings.

She said the Government is committed to preserving Hong Kong's heritage, including villages in the New Territories.

"Out of the historic buildings declared as monuments under the Antiquities & Monuments Ordinance, 36 are in the New Territories. They are properly maintained and open to the public," she said.

"The Government has established two heritage trials in Ping Shan and Lung Yeuk Tau to introduce the historic buildings of the areas in a systematic way."

The Government has also converted the old Ping Shan Police Station into the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre to showcase the history of the Tang Clan.

On intangible cultural heritage, Mrs Lam said a citywide survey will be conducted for compiling a comprehensive inventory. A task force will be formed to advise the Government on the survey.

"We will maintain liaison with the Heung Yee Kuk and rural committees to facilitate the conduct of the survey. Upon drawing up the inventory the Government will examine the overall policy related to intangible cultural heritage and consider allocating resources to enhance the safeguarding, education, inheritance and promotion of intangible cultural heritage in Hong Kong."