HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
2 November 1988
香港立法局
一九八八年十一月二日
18
Meanwhile, Fire Services officers have visited a large number of known guest houses and have given advice and directions on a range of fire prevention measures covering the removal of fire hazards, the installation of exit signs, portable fire extinguishers and fire alarm systems. Operators have been given two to four months to comply with the requirements. Further visits will continue as a matter of priority to other known guest houses.
MR. CHUNG: Sir, I welcome the introduction of a licensing system for guest houses and similar accommodation. Sir, may I know when the licensing system will take effect?
SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION: Sir, the City and New Territories Administration will soon be working out details including the scope of control, timetables, the detailed licensing procedures and, last yet most important of all, the staffing either through secondment or recruitment. If all goes well, I expect the legislation to be enacted towards the end of the current Session.
MR. BARROW: Sir, this issue causes great concern to the tourist industry and we very much welcome the forth-coming introduction of the licensing system. Would the Secretary for Security confirm that regular visits by the Fire Services Department will be a permanent feature to ensure that requirements under the licensing arrangements are followed?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Yes, Sir, I shall see that this is done. It is an obvious consequence of the licensing system which is to be introduced.
MR. DAVID CHEUNG: Sir, other than fire hazard, will Government inform this Council whether these so-called guest houses satisfy the other statutory requirements of guest houses? If not, why are they allowed to operate and put the lives of visitors and guests at risk? The second question is: Is it a general practice to allow guest houses to be set up in residential blocks?
HIS HONOUR THE PRESIDENT: It is somewhat outside the scope of the original question but I will ask the Secretary for Secretary if he would care to comment, or the Secretary for District Administration.
SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION: Sir, these points obviously will be covered among the detailed licensing procedures which will be looked into.