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# PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):—I have several follow-up questions. First, we know that the Commissioner of Police has issued a notice on this, but can it ensure that over 100 messes and canteens will comply with the requirement?
Secondly, the Police conducts investigations on applications from shops for liquor licences and raises objections in certain cases. What will be the role of the Police when the applicants for liquor licences are messes in police stations? Will the Police investigate the Police and will there be any conflict of roles? Currently, matters relating to inspections of liquor licences are handled by the Police. How do we ensure that the said messes and canteens comply with all requirements? Can we carry out any other form of investigations apart from carrying out inspections with the Police's participation?
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the first question concerns the issuance of a notice by the Commissioner of Police advising Police Officers' Messes, NCO Messes and canteens not to sell liquor without liquor licences. Mr. LEE asks how the said notice can be monitored. As it is, the LLB has always relied on the Police to take law enforcement action. The LLB itself does not have the power of enforcement and has to totally rely on the Police. The Commissioner of Police has given out an instruction. In a disciplined force, the instruction of the Commissioner of Police has to be obeyed. So, if you ask me, I am confident that there is no supply of liquor anywhere in police stations unless that place has been issued with a liquor licence.
On the second question, information held by the LLB shows the messes or canteens of many police stations are operated by contractors. There is basically not much direct relation between these contractors and the Police. The food premises are run on a contracting system. If the LLB is expected to monitor food premises that sell liquor within police stations, I think (I said so before) we do not have that power. Enforcement work will still have to be carried out by the Police. However, I believe since the Commissioner of Police has issued an instruction, it is something absolutely valid in a disciplined force and members of the force will surely comply with the regulation. So I think there is no need for the LLB to worry about it.
MR. STANLEY NG Wing-Fai (in Cantonese):—In the reply by the Chairman of the LLB, it was mentioned in paragraph 4 that the mode of operation of some messes in police stations was similar to a club and hence, there would be need for them to acquire club liquor licences. In fact, liquor licences are subdivided into club liquor licences and licences for individual premises exempted from applying in the capacity of clubs. I would like to ask the Chairman of the LLB whether Police Officers' Messes should apply for club licences first or would they be exempted so that they could directly apply for liquor licences.
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