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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. STANLEY NG Wing-fat (in Cantonese):—I notice that the Urban Services Appeals Board has clearly requested the LLB to formulate policies but in the reply, it seems that the Chairman of the LLB basically feels that many of the existing problems are, in fact, not problems at all. Indeed, the first step in solving problems is to have a correct understanding of the problems. In Mr. CHAN'S question, he was asking about liquor selling premises in properties in residential zones. We must understand that the 'zones' are actually specified in the city planning layouts. If we construct a building in a certain 'zone', the small units which make up the building are then called 'premises'. I noticed that when the USD colleagues prepared this answer on behalf of the Chairman of the LLB, the English version uses the word 'premises' but the Chinese version is rather vague, saying that the LLB will not grant a liquor licence to liquor selling premises in areas designed for residential use', the real situation is not like this. Therefore, I hope that the USD colleagues can have a clear understanding of this problem.
Secondly, in the past there were 14 000 applications, among which 80 were refused by the LLB. I would like to ask, how many of the refusals are due to opposition from the residents and how many of them are due to opposition from the Police? I wonder if we have such information.
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ng Wing-fai is the Vice-Chairman of the LLB, he knows well that the LLB will discuss the licensing guidelines and policies at its March meeting. This matter has been put on the agenda and is now pending for discussion. I think Mr. NG Wing-fai and myself will sit together to talk over the matter soon. With regard to the second part of the question, since the original question does not touch on opposition from residents, I have not prepared an answer in response to that. Maybe Mr. NG can approach the Secretary of the LLB to get the relevant information, or later I will talk with Mr. Ng about the matter.
IV. RESUMPTION OF ANNUAL CONVENTION DEBATE
(1) Resumption of debate on the following motion moved by the Chairman, Urban Council, at the meeting of the Council held on 9 January 1996:
'That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1996/97.'
Chairman (in Cantonese):—
A. Introduction
I shall now exercise my right of reply in resuming debate on the motion:
'That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1996/97.'
This year we have had very fruitful and constructive Annual Conventional Debate. Members who have participated in the Debate have made very useful
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