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conflict. The Police is an enforcement agency and no checks and balances exist. I hope the Urban Council can arrange for a third party to be present when the Police take enforcement actions in respect of liquor licences so as to handle the matter fairly. I also hope that the Police can supply relevant reports on whether establishments in police stations have been checked regularly for liquor licences. If the answer is yes, how fast is the investigation being carried out? If one claims that none of the 90-odd canteens sell liquor, I choose not to believe it. I did visit the Police Officers' Club (the building next to the Yacht Club in Causeway Bay) and I know liquor or alcoholic drinks are supplied on the premises. I don't know if that establishment has obtained a liquor licence. I would like to know the answer. So I hope the Police can give us a timetable of their investigations and I urge that assistance be given to police establishments applying for liquor licences. Also, when investigating police canteens for liquor licences, the presence of a third party is necessary.
Mr. San Stephen Wong Hon-CHING (in Cantonese):—I feel I can understand some of the points and questions raised by Mr. Joseph Lai. Maybe we can discuss them at meetings of the LLB.
As to the Police Officers' Club in Causeway Bay, it holds a liquor licence. As to giving such applications priority, I don't think there is such a need. We should treat any department, citizen or Councillor applying for a liquor licence in the same way. Basically, I feel that the licensing procedures are quick enough. If an applicant meets all conditions, it will be fine. There is no need to pinpoint any department or person for quicker processing. I just don't think we need to give priority or special treatment to anybody.
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):—One more question. Can we meet with the top management of the Police to find out about the current situation of applications for liquor licences or selling liquor without licence at police officers' messes, rank and file messes and canteens?
Secondly, can the LLB arrange with the Police for visits to the above-mentioned establishments for inspection of liquor licences?
Mr. San STEPHEN WONG Hon-ching (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the answer to both questions is yes.
Mr. Daniel Wong Kwok-TUNG (in Cantonese):—I think it is just a formality that police clubs apply for liquor licences. I don't see any objections to their applications. All along, if there were objections, they were raised by the Police themselves. When there was an application and no objection from anywhere, we issued it. Rather, I am concerned about one other point. The fact that the Commissioner of Police said such clubs and canteens should apply for liquor licences means he admitted the need for possession of the licences. Under the circumstances, as a matter of fairness, I think the Chairman of the LLB should
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