HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
All computers are insured against fire, flooding, natural disaster and vandalism so that the Council's computers can be replaced if they are destroyed.
Multiple copies of computer data files and programs are kept, both within the computer centre premises and offsite. The magnetic tapes and diskettes containing these files are kept in locked cabinets, with some in fire-proof vaults. To protect computer records from inaccuracies through human error, the Department has ensured that adequate audit trails and transaction logs are produced. These are complemented by manual checking of input and output. Error reporting procedures are clearly documented and errors are promptly reported to the E.D.P. Centre for early remedial action.
For major systems, there is a clear division of duties between computer operators and users (and in many cases, amongst the users themselves) so that the work performed by each party can be cross-checked. In addition, the Department's internal auditors play an important role in pointing out areas where improvement to security arrangements are necessary.
MR. SULKE (in English):—Mr. Chairman, the most important thing about disaster recovery, which is what I asked about, is to protect the records and I am a little worried that not all of our records are in fire-proof offices. Will my friend, please make sure that all our computer records are stored away from wherever the computer installation is and in fire-proof premises.
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):—We are very grateful for Mr. SULKE'S valuable advice, thank you.
MR. TONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. Fung a question. Since there is insurance coverage, the computer can be replaced in case of a disaster, but if supposing some of the information was lost or damaged, insurance would not then be of help.
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, the insurance is to ensure that from a financial point of view, the U.C. does not suffer a financial loss. Most of these records are duplicated in separate files and are kept away from the main computer facilities so that they can easily be put to use again. I may add that people seemed to think that computers are very vulnerable to disaster or other damages, but a manual set of records could as well be damaged by typhoon, flood or fire, just the same.
4. MR. PAO PING-WING asked the following question (in Cantonese):—I understand that at present the policy of the Food Hygiene Select Committee is to suspend the licence of a restaurant for just two days after three convictions are recorded against the operator concerned for transgressing the Food Hygiene Laws within 12 months. Would it not be better from the public health point of view to close the premises immediately a serious transgression against Food Hygiene Laws is found until such time as the matter has been corrected than to wait one year before doing so?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. WALTER M. SULKE, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—The question relates to Council's policy on the immediate suspension of a restaurant or other food business licence when a serious contravention of the Food Hygiene Laws has been detected.
The Council is entitled pursuant to section 125(1)(b) of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132, to suspend or cancel a licence at its sole discretion for the protection of public health. It is existing Council policy to suspend a food business licence immediately when a serious contravention has been detected. I must stress that, in such cases, the contravention must be one which poses a grave health risk and is certified as such by a Health Officer. In such cases the Council can act without having to wait for any conviction to be registered in respect of the premises concerned. I am glad to say that contraventions of this degree of seriousness are very rare, and only one case in the last twenty years has been felt to justify action of this sort.
The existing Council policy on suspension and cancellation for less serious offences which do not constitute grave health risks is as follows:
(a) if 3 offences which lead to conviction are committed in respect of licensed premises within a period of 12 months, consideration will be given to suspend the licence for 2 days;
(b) if within 12 months from the date of the last offence leading to the first suspension, 3 further offences resulting in convictions are committed in respect of the same licensed premises, consideration will be given to suspend the licence for 4 days;
(c) if within 12 months from the date of the last offence leading to the second suspension, 3 further offences resulting in convictions are committed in respect of the same licensed premises, consideration will be given to cancel the licence.
The policy on suspension and cancellation of food business licences is aimed at encouraging food business operators to take care to abide by the food hygiene laws and is meant to be flexibly applied according to the special circumstances of the case concerned.
Finally, I would like to mention that Council's policy on suspension and cancellation of licences is reviewed by the Select Committee from time to time, the last review taking place in May 1985. A further review is currently in hand within the Department on the definition of 'grave health risk' to see whether a redefinition could lead to summary action being taken in a wider range of cases than at present. This review will take some time and it is uncertain when
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