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The answer to the last part of this question is that all the unlicensed restaurants have been prosecuted at one time or another or are the subject of proceedings which have not yet come to court. Members will be aware that the Department is conducting a vigorous and continuing campaign against unlicensed restaurants.
MR. TSIN (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, there is a rumour that in prosecuting the restaurants, most of the restaurants are small ones and not the big ones. Is that the fact?
DR. WONG (in Cantonese): - About those big restaurants that have not been prosecuted, I believe that perhaps they are not worthwhile being prosecuted but for those light refreshment restaurants, because of their greater number the cases are noticeable.
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG (in Cantonese): - I would like to ask Dr. WONG a question. I understand that the restaurants do not have to take a licence in England. Is it because people in Hong Kong are more dirty that they have to take a licence, or is it because of the specialties of our food?
CHAIRMAN (in English): - That question is a bit out of the original context but it is of interest, so Dr. WONG, if you wish to answer it, please do so.
DR. WONG (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, I think the situation would be more clarified when the Chairman of the Select Committee has returned from England.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): - I have received a complaint from a hundred odd small factories that they do not have even one restaurant which is up to the requirements of the Urban Services Department, to supply food to all these factory workers. I do not know how the department is going to deal with this problem. Do you think there should be a canteen somewhere in that area to supply food to these workers?
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English): - On a point of order, why are the simultaneous translations not working?
CHAIRMAN (in English): - Thank you. With the permission of those members who do not understand Cantonese, can I accept that question and ask Dr. WONG to answer it? Agree? Dr. WONG, please answer it.
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DR. WONG (in Cantonese): - About the question asked by Dr. HUANG, I think that for those unlicensed restaurants we should deal with them according to our policy. Of course, if they have a licence they should carry on with their business.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, can I ask Dr. WONG whether it is the responsibility for his committee to make a special case in these circumstances? Perhaps more sympathetic considerations can be given so that the workers can be taken care of not only for their work but for their food supply as well.
DR. WONG (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, of course, we are extremely sympathetic with the parties concerned.
(4) MR. AMBROSE K. C. CHOI asked the following question (in Cantonese): -
(a) How many life-guards of the Auxiliary Medical Service were engaged for duty at the gazetted beaches and swimming pools this Summer?
(b) Was their service free of charge?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English): -
(a) In answer to the first part of the question at weekends and public holidays this summer, the Auxiliary Medical Service provided 48 life-guards for duty at public swimming pools and beaches including Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Shek O, Big Wave Bay, Rocky Bay, and some of the more popular swimming pools.
(b) The answer to the second part of the question is that their services were provided free of charge.
In addition to lifeguards from the Auxiliary Medical Service, lifeguards and first-aid officers were also provided by the Hong Kong Life Guard Club and St. John Ambulance Brigade respectively.
On behalf of the Urban Council, I would like to pay a public tribute to all these organizations and to express my thanks to the lifeguards, and first-aid officers whose voluntary service has proved invaluable in supplementing that of the full-time lifeguards employed by this Council. We look forward to their continued support and assistance in the years ahead.
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