PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
think it would be better to have a time limit for liquor selling (as mentioned in paragraph 3 of the reply) and to have an appeal mechanism in place for applicants in the same district to lodge appeals. I would like to ask the LLB Chairman if this matter would be referred to the LLB for discussion. This is the first point.
The second point concerns the area within a radius of 400 metres. Would the LLB Chairman consider extending this 400 metres to, say, 800 metres or 1000 metres? Or would he reconsider the extent of the area? As far as I know, the area within a radius of 400 metres has been adopted for many years. Would it be reviewed?
The third point is about the question of flexibility. Staunton Street presents a good example. In the Yau Tsim Mong District and even in Wanchai, i.e. the LLB Chairman's district, there are many public complaints cases. As the arrangement in Staunton Street works very well, would consideration be given to doing the same in other districts, such as those districts with a lot of complaint cases?
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, the 3 questions raised by Mr. CHAN can actually be addressed together. On the flexibility of imposing additional licensing conditions, as I have just mentioned, the LLB considers each case on its individual merits. We do not have a policy of imposing a blanket restriction to prohibit the sale of liquor during certain hours in the urban area. As Hong Kong practises a free economy, it is impossible to impose standard restriction hours on the sale of liquor. Many people often work till midnight, it seems unfair to them if there is no liquor supply after midnight. This is the first point.
Secondly, there are a lot of night premises in Hong Kong. If a blanket restriction is imposed to prohibit the sale of liquor during certain hours, it would be detrimental to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. Hence, the LLB considers each case on its individual merits to decide whether an application or objection is fair, reasonable and legitimate. If it is found that nuisance is really caused to the residents, additional licensing conditions will be imposed in that particular case to solve the problem. The case of Staunton Street which I have just mentioned is slightly different. Staunton Street used to be a quiet place and the many residents there used to live in a tranquil environment. However, a lot of food premises have started operation there in the past two years and caused nuisance to the neighbourhood. The LLB has received a lot of complaints from the DB Members, the Urban Councillors and the residents of the district. After inspecting the area, the LLB also considered that it was necessary to prohibit the sale of liquor after 11:00 p.m., so as to prevent any nuisances likely to be caused to the nearby residents by the liquor selling activities. Thus, we adopt this measure in Staunton Street and its neighbouring area. This measure is also supported by the local residents, the DB Members, the Urban Councillors and the food premises operators.
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