Private residential flats and Home Ownership Scheme flats target two different markets, the Government says, adding it is not its policy to use the scheme to interfere with private property prices - which market forces should set.

The Government issued a statement in response to a community group's concerns expressed today over high property prices.

"In view of recent public concern about the release of information in the property market, the Transport & Housing Bureau will liaise with the Real Estate Developers' Association to identify feasible measures to enhance transparency in the release of information regarding uncompleted first-hand residential properties," the statement said.

It pointed out that, apart from the land available in the application list and the property development projects of the MTR Corporation Limited and Urban Renewal Authority, another important source of supply is the private residential land through lease modification or land exchange.

In this regard, the Lands Department has implemented measures to speed up the handling of applications for lease modification and land exchange.

"The Government noted the relatively small number of residential flats completed and the record prices attained in certain transactions this year have caused concern about the supply of flats, difficulty in purchasing a home, and the possibility of a property bubble," the statement said.

Market changes in the coming months will be closely monitored and where necessary, land supply arrangements will be fine-tuned.

The Development Bureau has also liaised with the MTR Corporation Limited and Urban Renewal Authority to explore the possibility of quickening the pace of readily available residential flats to the market. Both the corporation and the authority will support this as far as practicable.

Two new development areas in the New Territories will provide land for residential purposes in the long run.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has also put in place prudential measures for residential mortgage loans. For residential properties valued at $20 million or more, the loan-to-value ratio will be capped at 60%. For properties valued at below $20 million, the 70% ratio will be maintained, but the maximum loan amount will be capped at $12 million.

If deemed necessary, measures will be introduced to ensure the property market's stability.