9
ON
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1983
* IMPOSE DUTIES OF PERSONAL SUPERVISION ON LICENSEES.
*
PROVIDE FOR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL BY ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY.
* ALLOW THE ADMINISTRATION OF MASSAGE BY MEMBERS OF THE
OPPOSITE SEX.
ON THE LAST POINT, MR WONG SAID THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY HAD RIGHTLY STRESSED THAT CLIENTS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE AND THAT IF IT WAS USED AS A COVER FOR VICE, POLICE WOULD TAKE ACTION UNDER THE CRIMES ORDINANCE.
+CAREFUL CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THIS NEW RULE AND THE CONSENSUS IS THAT SINCE MASSAGE PER SE BY MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IS SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE IN MOST PARTS OF THE WORLD, THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN HONG KONG.
+IT IS NOT THOUGHT THAT THE RELAXATION WOULD GIVE RISE TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR VICE OR CORRUPTION, HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THAT TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE NEW SYSTEM, THE LICENSING AUTHORITY MUST ADMINISTER IT IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT WILL REFLECT THE SPIRIT OF THE NEW LEGISLATION,
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE REALISTIC RULES, IT IS ENVISAGED THAT BONA FIDE MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS, WHICH AT THE MOMENT ARE NOT LICENSED, WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO COME FORWARD AND APPLY FOR A LICENCE UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION,+ SAID MR WONG.
MISS BENNETT SAID SHE WAS GLAD THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONTINUING TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH IN THE PAST HAD TOO EASILY BECOME COVERS FOR VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
+HOWEVER WE MUST REMAIN DETERMINED TO STAMP OUT ALL UNDESIRABLE UNLAWFUL ESTABLISHMENTS, WHICH HAVE LURED MEN AND WOMEN INTO LIVES THAT ARE UNWHOLESOME AND BY LAW OF THIS TERRITORY TERMED
ILLEGAL.
+I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT THIS BILL WILL MAKE IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE LICENSEE TO SHAKE OFF RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT GOES ON AT THE PREMISES OF WHICH HE IS THE LICENSEE, SHE SAID. MISS BENNETT NOTED THAT THE LEVEL OF FINES WAS TO BE INCREASED, SO THAT THE PAYMENT OF THE FINE COULD NOT BE REGARDED BY THE PROPRIETOR AS A REGULAR OVERHEAD OF THE BUSINESS.
+ I BELIEVE CLAUSE 8 WILL PROVIDE THE LICENSING AUTHORITY SUFFICIENT POWER TO REVOKE, SUSPEND OR REFUSE TO RENEW THE LICENCE OF ANY ESTABLISHMENT RUN CONTRARY TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST,+ SHE SAID.
MISS BENNETT DESCRIBED AS +GOOD NEWS+ THAT FUTURE APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCE WOULD NOT BE GRANTED IN RESPECT OF MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS LOCATED IN DOMESTIC PREMISES. +BUT IT ALSO REVEALS HOW LAX HAS BEEN OUR CONTROL OF THE USES TO WHICH DOMESTIC PREMISES ARE FREQUENTLY PUT.
+THIS IS