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CHAIRMAN: --As far as I am aware the Council is not so consulted.
MR. SALES: How do you, Mr. Chairman, reconcile the fact that this Council is so concerned over hygienic considerations for restaurants, and yet we exercise no control over the same aspect insofar as bars are concerned?
CHAIRMAN: -You are referring to bars solely licensed as bars and not as bars-cum-restaurants?
MR. SALES: -Yes.
CHAIRMAN:-I had a look around some of these places-in the course of duty-and I had no special reason to believe that they were particularly unhygienic.
MR. SALES: -Then may I inquire whether your impression is that they are immune from infection?
CHAIRMAN: I am not suggesting that there is a sterilizing effect from strong liquor.
MR. SALES: -Would you recommend to Government that the same stringent regulations be applied to them as are applied by this Council to restaurants? I think, and the public concurs generally, that a measure of control is necessary.
CHAIRMAN: -I am not prepared to recommend anything to Government at this stage, but I am prepared to refer it to the appropriate Select Committee.
MR. SALES :-Would you put my views forward to the appropriate department?
CHAIRMAN: -The appropriate department?
MR. SALES: Of Government.
CHAIRMAN:-I think it would be appropriate in the first instance to put it to the relevant Select Committee.
MR. SALES: —I agree with this procedure simply because it is much too hot to argue today in the absence of air conditioning.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary question? From an administrative point of view, sir, would there be any difficulty in the Urban Council taking over the licensing of bars?
CHAIRMAN:-I should think there would be lots and lots of difficulties but this is a question which should be discussed in the appropriate Select Committee.
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MR. SALES: May I suggest that when you refer this question to the appropriate Select Committee that you obtain for our information the number of bars existing in each district in the urban areas and, if possible, distinguish between proper bars and honkey tonks?
CHAIRMAN: No doubt we will look into the relevant particulars.
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:
"(a) In the projected major reconstruction of Nathan Road will this Council be given the opportunity to study the plans?
(b) What assurance are you able to give this Council that the trees just north and south of Austin Road will not be cut or otherwise damaged?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:---
"(a) Council has already had such an opportunity in that it has a representative on the Traffic Advisory Committee at whose meeting on 23rd June the plans for the reconstruction of Nathan Road were presented and approved.
(b) Everything possible will be done to ensure that the trees in Nathan Road are not damaged. The Roads Office is just as strongly opposed to the unnecessary destruction of trees as is Council and in the past has given Council consistent support to its policy of preserving all trees in the Colony whenever this can be done consistent with safety needs. The Acting Chief Engineer, Roads Office, has assured me that there is no intention to cut down any of the trees to accommodate the reconstruction of Nathan Road."
DR. BELL:-May I ask a supplementary question? How does that fit in with the recent report that Government received regarding traffic where they advise most strongly that there should be no obstruction from pillars and trees?
CHAIRMAN: I did make the proviso that it was consistent with safety needs, but as far as I know there are no safety needs in Nathan Road.
MR. SALES: A supplementary question. As this matter was referred to the Traffic Advisory Committee, was this Council consulted or given the opportunity by the Traffic Advisory Committee to study the plans for Nathan Road before discussion?
CHAIRMAN: -I must advise that this Council is not responsible for traffic.
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