A task force comprising local and Mainland conservation experts will be formed under Antiquities & Monuments Office to conduct a feasibility study on the restoration of historic building King Yin Lei.

Secretary for Development Carrie Lam told lawmakers today the office will also consider whether it should recommend to the Antiquities Authority the declaration of the building as a monument.

Mrs Lam said an expert panel appointed by the Antiquities Advisory Board is assessing 1,400 historic buildings, with about 900 of them yet to be accorded a grading.

She expects the assessment to be completed next year. The office has established administrative measures to protect the buildings in the meantime.