HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, the answer says that these doors are being systematically replaced. Can you tell me where and how many have been begun to be replaced?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I really do need notice of that question. Certainly some of them have been done already. I can't say off hand.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Some of them have been started, is that right, quite definitely?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Definitely.
(8) DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG asked the following question:-
As a result of the damage caused by the recent typhoon, can the Chairman inform this Council whether under the new Advertisement By-laws this Council will be empowered to control the safety of advertising signboards?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
I think Council will be gratified to know that under the new Advertisement By-laws, which are now in the initial stage of drafting by the Legal Department, we will be empowered to control the safety of advertisement signboards.
Any advertisement sign will be prohibited if it:-
(a) constitutes a fire hazard under the Fire Services Ordinance; or
(b) is dangerous; or
(c) is prejudicial to the safety or convenience of traffic or pedestrians using the street over which it projects; or
(d) obscures or hinders the ready interpretation of, by persons using the street over which it projects, any traffic sign erected, placed or displayed under the Road Traffic Ordinance.
Advertisement signs include those on which a licence fee has to be paid because they measure more than 20 sq. ft., and signs under this size which will not attract a fee but which will still require a permit. When a licence or a permit is issued conditions will be imposed which will include a requirement that the sign be properly maintained.
The Council will also be empowered to serve a notice requiring the removal of any advertisement sign which has contravened the By-laws, and if this removal notice is unheeded the Council may take down and dispose of the sign in any manner it thinks fit.
DR. DENNY HUANG:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask through you how long the Legal Department has been drafting these By-laws and how much longer it will be, I mean finalized. My second supplementary is, referring to the last paragraph, if we are going to take down those advertisement signs, who is going to pay for it?
MR. SALES:-Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN:-I am afraid I am not in a position to answer those questions, Dr. HUANG.
MR. SALES: Sir, the first part referring to the Legal Department, I suggest that the department might press them for action on it. As regards the second one, I might be permitted to read this "If the owner ignores the Department's notification, the Department would inform the Building Authority to remove the sign and pay for the cost of removal by allocation warrant. The Department then chases the owner for recovery of costs. If the owner cannot be found, the Department pays the cost from Miscellaneous Expenditure vote"-not the Recreation and Amenity Block Vote.
DR. HUANG:-Thank you very much.
MR. RAYMOND KAN:-Mr. Chairman, is there any reason for any sign of less than 20 sq. ft. in area not to attract any fee especially when a permit is required?
MR. SALES: If I interpret the intention of the Select Committee on this matter, the thought was not to gain additional revenue but to prevent outsize advertisement signs so that the shop-keepers and others would be encouraged to keep their signs within reasonable measurements and dimensions so this is the reason between a permit and a fee.
MR. HENRY HU:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask one supplementary, what is the Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee's view do all the signs in Nathan Road satisfy the A.B.C. condition?
MR. SALES:-May I suggest, Mr. Chairman, that this question is out of order, but, of course, it is your prerogative.
CHAIRMAN:-(Laughter).
-We would need notice of that question, Mr. Hu.
MR. SALES: That question calls for an expression of opinion; that is contrary to Standing Orders.
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