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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
than 4' x 1' could be summonsed both for hawking from an over-sized pitch and for causing obstruction. Whilst there is a possibility of permitting certain newspaper hawkers to operate from pitches of a larger area than normal, a general relaxation is definitely not practicable. The question of whether or not a particular newspaper hawker obstructs depends very much on the width of the pavement at that spot but certain sites, for instance at road-junctions or in front of restaurants, may cause more obstruction than others and cannot be permitted an area greater than 4' x 1'.
At its last meeting the Hawkers Select Committee decided that the Police and U.S.D. should look more closely into this matter, and present proposals to the Select Committee in due course. I hope that the two departments will be able to bring their recommendations to the Select Committee shortly, so that a prompt decision can be reached on this issue.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English):- Mr. Chairman, I would like to mention the statement in the second paragraph of the answer that a general relaxation is definitely not practicable. I wonder if the Chairman of the Select Committee is aware that, whether or not it is practicable, relaxation is an actual fact, and almost every newspaper hawker is occupying more space than 4′ × 1'. Does he realize that this leads to control by triads who can then frighten the newspaper hawkers?
MR. HENRY H. L. HU (in English): The Select Committee, I understand, also understands the situation. The present position is to define more correctly the meaning of obstruction. I understand that the Police and U.S.D. are now looking into the basic issue of obstruction to the whole question. That definition is to be clarified, and I think we should wait, then we would see what we can do about newspaper pitches.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English): -- Mr. Chairman, we have been talking about this for many years now. I wonder if the Chairman of the Hawkers Select Committee will keep pressing on this, so that we can carry out the instructions or suggestions of Mr. CATEP that we should remove the causes of corruption.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN (in English):- Although this question is not within the context under Standing Order 12(13), nevertheless, I think it is of interest and Mr. Hu would be prepared to answer.
MR. HENRY H. L. HU (in English):-- The Select Committee always has this in mind, that is to say to look at the causes of any corruption. I think this matter will come up to the Select Committee again to discuss. We certainly shall bear that point in mind when we discuss this question.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English): -- Mr. Chairman, I think there was a slight misunderstanding about my question. I said would the Chairman of the Select Committee press on this matter.
CHAIRMAN (in English):— Mr. Hu, would you press on with this matter?
MR. HENRY H. L. HU (in English):-- Certainly, I would press on this matter. (Laughter)
(2) MR. PETER P. K. NG asked the following question (in English):-
Can the Chairman advise this Council:
(a) Has the simple amendment to Regulation 20(3) of the Dutiable Commodities (Liquor) Regulations 1970 been completed so that we can now issue Liquor Licences on the first day of every month instead of on the first day of January, April, July and October only?
(b) If the amendment has not been done, can the Chairman give us a reasonable date as to when this simple amendment can be completed?
(c) Can the Chairman give us the reason for the long delay in the completion of this simple amendment when we had started to press vigorously for it as far back as August of 1973?
(d) Can the liquor licensing procedure be further simplified and announced to the public so that it will be convenient for all applicants concerned?
(e) After one year of issuing the liquor licences and after one year of research has the Urban Services Department produced a proper report as to the cost
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