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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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Mr. JP Kwok-CHUNG (in Cantonese):--Thank you for Mr. WONG's question. Under the existing Ordinance, there is no stipulation that renewal of licenses will be prohibited for hawkers being prosecuted and convicted for the sale of obscene and indecent publications. From another point of view, these hawkers have already been punished by law. Besides, taking legal actions against them is the duty of the departments concerned. But of course, we can always refer Mr. WONG's suggestion to the Market and Street Traders Select Committee for consideration and discussion. If Members consider it feasible and subject to the advice of our Principal Legal Officer, we may include such a requirement in our licensing conditions. I can assure you that I will refer the suggestion to the Select Committee. Thank you, Mr. WONG.
Mr. Stanley NG Wing-fai (in Cantonese):—Actually I am not satisfied with the reply. Although the Council is the licensing authority, it cannot include additional conditions in the licence to control the sale of obscene and indecent publications. Doesn't it reflect that the Ordinance and our policy fail to meet the needs of the society? Would the Ordinance and our policy be amended to the effect that such publications for sale must be locked up instead of being displayed at the newspaper stand and doing harm to our young people?
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. NG's suggestion has already been discussed in para. 3 of the reply. In fact, the Ordinance has already been amended and Class III indecent articles for sale are required to be sealed in wrappers and a warning notice of a size no less than 20% of the article must be displayed on the article. Such requirements will come into effect in October. As to whether or not we are going to include such stipulations in our licensing conditions, as I told Mr. WONG just now, we will consult the Principal Legal Officer as well as refer the suggestion to the Select Committee concerned.
MOTIONS
I. MR. RONNIE Wong Man-chiu, Chairman of the Recreation Select COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-
"RESOLVED that the Pleasure Grounds (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 3) Bylaw 1995 be made under section 109A(5) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132."
He said (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:
‘RESOLVED that the Pleasure Grounds (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 3) Bylaw 1995 be made under section 109A(5) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
In July, the fees and charges for the use of indoor games halls and squash courts have been determined by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. For the
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