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DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHAN is requesting whether the plan for Ap Lei Chau Main Street RCP can be shelved, I think I need to ask the Urban Services Department to see whether the plan can be shelved or not. But from my experience in the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, I know that it is very difficult for us to get an allocation of land for the building of the RCPs, so unless really necessary, I do not think the Urban Services Department will be coming up with that particular site. As to Mr. CHAN's mention that only have a lease of 5 years, I really doubt the accuracy of such a piece of information, I am sure that the people responsible for Planning and Development division in the Urban Services Department will not be planning such a project unless they are sure of a long lease. As to the point about the church body and its leasing premises to a bank, now this in fact is a contract between two private bodies. It is none of our business, in fact. Our responsibility is to provide service for the general public and if they have trouble over their own contract, then I think they will have to deal with that themselves.
5. STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, in recent years, there has been a surge in the registration of clubs which in essence operate mainly as billiard saloons. As 'clubs', they do not have to apply for a licence, nor to comply with the requirements laid down by the Urban Council in respect of billiard saloons, such as they may not be established in residential premises, business hours may not be extended beyond 2.00 a.m., and there must be certain fire safety measures etc. The Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, solely charged with the licensing of billiard saloons in urban areas, is much concerned about the situation.
It was reported in the newspapers in the middle of last month that the Municipal Services Branch would ask the government to amend the relevant regulations to require all clubs which operate a billiard saloon to apply for a licence. The public are much puzzled, not knowing which office is responsible for the licensing of these establishments. Some even suspect that the Urban Council is not doing its job properly. This is most unfair.
As Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, I must solemnly declare that the Urban Council is the only licensing authority in respect of billiard saloons in urban areas and our legal adviser has confirmed that point. It is much to be regretted that at a time when government is promoting the parliamentary system, an administrative branch has seen fit to interfere in the functions of the Urban Council half of which membership are elected by popular vote.
In December last year, after receipt of copies of letters of complaint against the situation by a number of billiard saloon licensees, addressed to the Urban Services Department through their lawyers, I immediately asked the Department to prepare the necessary papers for discussion at the Select Committee on 2 January this year. I pointed out at the meeting the abnormal state of affairs must cease. Basically an establishment operating a billiard saloon must apply for a licence. Representatives from the Department, however, maintained that a thorough investigation should be conducted before any proposal could be made.
The Department was very tardy in its investigation. Upon my repeated prod, it finally submitted its report on 16th last month and in fact the investigation only confirmed the point that the complaints given by the licensees of billiard saloons were correct. In the papers prepared by the Department, it was admitted that the number of billiard saloons operated by clubs trebled or quadrupled the licensed ones, but the Department recommended that those already in operation be tolerated. The Department's recommendation was not accepted by the majority of the Councillors. A decision on the matter will be made shortly after further deliberations.
In my view, there is room for improvement in regard to the attitude of work and efficiency of the staff of the Department. I also hope that in future, the Municipal Services Branch will not interfere in the legitimate functions of the Urban Council. Two days ago, I read from the newspaper that the Municipal Services Branch will be cancelled and I think that would be a most wise decision.
MOTIONS
1. THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:-
'RESOLVED that the Council should resolve itself into the Standing Committee of the Whole Council under Standing Order 2.'
He said (in English):-
'RESOLVED that the Council should resolve itself into the Standing Committee of the Whole Council under Standing Order 2.'
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL Seconded (in English): Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
(Note: The minutes of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council are recorded separately in Committee Minutes CW/11/85.)
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