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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Arrangements have been made with the Public Works Department to carry out certain improvements to the Shui Wo Street Hawker Bazaar in Kwun Tong. These works include repairs to the existing bazaar surface, provision of drainage channels, and the laying of connections for a mains water supply. A works order has already been issued, and the work is expected to be completed by the end of October.
MRS. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the original improvements included opening new doors and putting up pillars to stop cars and hawkers from coming in. Is this included in the improvements?
MR. HU (in English):-Mrs. ELLIOTT mentioned about the Shui Wo Street Hawker Bazaar? We certainly would take it into consideration.
MRS. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, could the Chairman of this Committee let me know when this is completed, because the hawkers in that area are getting very impatient?
MR. HU (in English):-I appreciate Mrs. ELLIOTT's worrying about it. During my inspection I shared the same view as Mrs. ELLIOTT, and I would certainly report to the Select Committee about the improvements to this hawker bazaar and I think Mrs. ELLIOTT, being one of the Members of the Committee, would know it.
(3) MR. PETER P. K. NG asked the following question (in English):-
Can the Chairman advise this Council:
(a) The frequency in which Liquor Licences are to be issued in any one year?
(b) Can the frequency of the issue of Liquor Licences be changed so that the frequency of issue could be made monthly?
(c) If a decision is made to have the changes, how soon can these changes be made and how can the changes be made?
MR. CHARLES C. C. SIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—
This question concerns liquor licensing procedures.
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As regards the first part of the question, the frequency for issuing liquor licences in any one year is governed by regulation 20(3) of the Dutiable Commodities (Liquor) Regulations 1970, providing for a licence to become effective from either 1st January, 1st April, 1st July or 1st October, whichever of these dates is the first to follow the date on which the decision was made to grant the licence.
As regards the second part of the question, because regulation 20(3) provides that in any one year only on the four statutory dates therein mentioned a licence can become effective, the frequency of issue of licences cannot be changed unless and until an appropriate amendment to this regulation has been approved by the Governor-in-Council.
As regards the last part of the question, I am glad to say that Member of the Urban Council Liquor Licensing Board have already agreed that the present statutory issue dates are not in keeping with present day conditions of Hong Kong and have already requested Government for amendment of regulation 20(3) to provide that liquor licences should become effective from the first day of the month next following the date on which they are granted. If this amendment to the Regulation is effected, immediate arrangements will be made for the issue of liquor licences on a monthly basis, but at this point in time I cannot say when the necessary legal amendment will be made. All I can say is that the Liquor Licensing Board will press vigorously for it.
MR. NG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, can a regulation be changed within the Council without going to Government?
MR. SIN (in English):-I am afraid not, Mr. Chairman.
MR. NG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in this case have we got an indication as to when this amendment to the Regulation 20(3) can be done? Any idea of date? One year? Two years?
MR. SIN (in English):-The answer in brief is "no", Mr. Chairman, but I should not think that a simple amendment would take a year.
MR. NG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, if Mr. SIN considers that it won't take a year, how soon would he guess it will take?
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