WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1979
22
PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) FILL
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A BILL TO TIGHTEN THE CONTROL ON FOOD BUSINESS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1978, THE SECRETARY FOP SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO SAID THE BILL SEEKS FOUR CHANGES WHICH HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
+FIRSTLY, IT BRINGS WITHIN FOOD FACTORY LICENSING REQUIREMENTS THOSE FACTORIES WHICH PREPARE VARIOUS WATERS FOR SALE FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION.+
HOWEVER, MR. HO SAID TO GIVE THE TRADE ADEQUATE TIME THIS REQUIREMENT WOULD NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE UNTIL DECEMBER 1, THIS YEAR.
THE SECOND PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO ENABLE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE WHICH GRANT EXEMPTIONS FROM LICENSING AND OTHER RESTRICTIVE PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOOD.
+THIS WILL FACILITATE THE STREAMLINING OF PROCEDURES AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, HE ADDED.
+THIRDLY, THE BILL SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE LICENSING AUTHORITY TO CANCEL ANY REGISTRATION, LICENCE OR PERMIT WHICH IS NOT BEING MADE USE OF.
+FINALLY, THE BILL SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR HIGHER LIMITS OF FINES WHICH MAY BE PRESCRIBED IN SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, AND TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN SPECIFIC OFFENCES.
+THESE HIGHER LIMITS ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO GIVE THE COURTS EXTRA LEVERAGE IN TWO CLASSES OF CASES WHERE STAFF RESOURCES PUT INTO INSPECTION AND PROSECUTION WORK HAVE NOT ACHIEVED THE DESIRED RESULTS.+
THE TWO CLASSES OF CASES INVOLVE PERSONS WHO ALLOW MOSQUITOS TO BREED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AND OPERATORS OF UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESS.
AS REGARDS MOSQUITO BREEDING OFFENCES, MR. HO SAID IT IS HOPED THAT A FIVE-FOLD INCREASE IN MAXIMUM FINE TO $5,000 AND THE DAILY PENALTY FOR A CONTINUING OFFENCE TO $100 WILL HAVE A GREATER DETERRENT EFFECT ON BUILDING CONTRACTORS.
ON THE OFFENCE REGARDING THE OPERATION OF UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESS, MR. HO SAID IT IS NOW PROPOSED TO INCREASE FIVE-FOLD THE MAXIMUM FINE PERMITTED UNDER SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TO 10,000 AND THE DAILY PENALTY TO $250 FOR A CONTINUOUS OFFENCE, WHILE FOR BREACHES OF COURT ORDERS THE PRESENT FINE OF $5,000 AND THREE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT PLUS A DAILY PENALTY OF $100 FOR A CONTINUOUS OFFENCE IS BEING INCREASED TO $25,000, 12 MONTHS AND $500 RESPECTIVELY.
/+TO THOSE