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no space to create a separate access for applicants of licenses, the Appeals Board also suggested that applicants should be told whether the situation would affect the issuance of licenses.
Suggestions were made in the last two years. I hope we can see a clearer policy on the issuance of liquor licenses. I raised a question at the Urban Council monthly meeting of April 8 of a similar direction as the one we are discussing. I asked for a review of the policy soon. I said that the review should be an open consultation to gather the opinions of bar operators as well as the public for our consideration. At this time, we should state the policy more clearly, As Mr. Kam put in, we could put in criteria nos. 4 or 5. The main thing is that under reasonable circumstances, when it is considered that the number of liquor licenses granted in a residential area may cause nuisance, the Liquor Licensing Board should have the authority not to issue more licenses. If we have this criterion, future operation and appeals heard at the Appeals Board should follow.
Mr. Chairman, I support Mr. KAM's motion and second his motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):-I understand Mr. Kam's difficulties in moving this motion. Unfortunately, the motion is unclear and ambiguous. First, the motion asks for additional criteria for the issuance of liquor licenses (or restriction on numbers), but Mr. KAM has not resolved how to set the limit. He favours a decision by the majority instead of a clear criterion. This is sure to cause many unnecessary unfairness.
Indeed, bars or drinking establishments are very often found in our residential areas. Hong Kong is a society of free economy, operators of the same kind of establishments getting together is just a sign of free economy. After a bank has been opened in a district, the second one and then the third one follows. To restrict on the number of one kind of establishments in one single district is an infringement on the principle of free economy. Of course, bars and their kind cause nuisance to residents, but the Liquor Licensing Board already has a standard and it has been operating for more than ten years.
There are also ambiguous points in the motion. We do not issue liquor licenses only to bars and karaokes or nightclubs, but also general food establishments or even some fast food shops. If we restrict on the number of licenses for, say, Staunton Street, after two more, these two licenses may not be issued to restaurants or food establishments. Such a situation brings inconvenience to residents. If all tens of licenses are issued to bars and no other business can function there, how do we solve the problem? It will also result in speculation. Whenever there is a restriction on numbers, speculation results. If a bar is enjoying good business, someone may want to take over. Taking over may be in different forms. There is no need to put licenses on the market like
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