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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Without any doubt, our major concern is whether there are adequate basic facilities to safeguard public safety. For example, if a fire breaks out at a cinema with a provisional license in the midst of a film show, we would like to know if there are sufficient fire routes for evacuation. Inadequate fire installations at cinemas can result in people getting trapped. If such a cinema is one issued with a provisional license, which party should be held responsible? We have to consider this point cautiously.
Mr. Chairman, I must emphasize here that provisional licenses cannot tackle the root of the problem. We must study into the real reason for unlicensed cinemas in operation and find a speedy solution. This must be the right way to approach the matter. If provisional licenses are to be issued, we must see the 2 basic requirements are met. Firstly, there should be adequate protection of public safety, especially in respect of fire precautions. Secondly, in the long term, we should strive to improve administrative procedures and cut down the time required to process applications. The target should be to deal with an application in 3 to 4 months, thereby doing away with the need to issue a provisional license.
Mr. Chairman, although I have reservations on the issue of provisional licenses, I feel that if we can issue them in the short term, it may be a solution for cinema operators who make alterations in accordance with our procedures.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Would you like to reply, Mr. Wong Kwok-hing?
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):--I would like to thank Members for their useful and valuable suggestions.
Just a few points in response. Firstly, after this motion is carried, the Urban Services Department should follow the spirit of the motion and write to as well as liaise with relevant government departments to set up the machinery for issue of provisional licenses. Efforts should also be made to study the implementation of closure powers. And of course, we must urge the Legislative Council to deliberate and pass the 1997 Public Entertainment Amendment Bill as soon as possible. May I call upon fellow colleagues who are represented in the Legislative Council to reflect our request. I also hope that the Urban Services Department will follow up on this motion with a work schedule.
Secondly, I agree that the issuance of provisional licenses does not mean tolerance towards cinema operators who treat them as replacements for operating without proper licenses. This should not be taken as a shield for government bureaucracy either. Therefore, 3 aspects of restriction, condition, and time frame should be attached to the issue of provisional licenses. They should not be issued loosely because the final target should be to issue proper cinema licenses to those who meet requirements.
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