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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
A
LARGE NUMBER OF PUBLIC BILLIARD LEGISLATION HAD
SHE SAID THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT UNLICENSED PRIVATE CLUBS OPERATING IN THE GUISE OF PARLOURS, AND THAT LOOPHOLES IN THIE EXISTING DISCOURAGED PROPER MANAGEMENT, MAKING THESF PLACES BREEDING GROUNDS FOR CRINE.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE ONLY CRITICISM OF THE BILL WAS THAT THE INTRODUCTION HAD BEEN TOO SLOW TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE NEFDS ARISING FROM THE ACTUAL SITUATION.
"BEARING IN MIND THE FACT THAT THE POPULARITY OF PASHIONABLE GAMES USUALLY DOES NOT LAST LONG, ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AT ONCE WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE OR ELSE LEGISLATION WILL APPEAR MEANINGLESS,' MRS TAM SAID.
"ACCORDING TO RECENT PRESS REPORTS, BILLIARD GAMES HAVE BECOME LESS POPULAR AFTER THE BOOM WHICH STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO. THUS, I TRUST THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CONSTRUCTIVE AND MEANINGFUL IF THE BILL HAD BEEN INTRODUCED EARLIER.
ΤΟ
"NOTING THAT THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WOULD TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY REVIEW THE EXISTING LICENSING CONDITIONS OF BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS, MRS TAM SAID SHE HOPED THIAT SIMILAR PROVISIONS FOR THE AGE AND STATUS OF CUSTOMERS AS FOR OTHER GAMES CENTRES FOR ADULTS MIGHT BE INTRODUCED, SO THAT A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 16 OR WEARING UNIFORM WOULD NOT BE ADMITTED.
THE AUTHORITIES SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER STIPULATING THE SPACE REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN BILLIARD TABLES, SO AS TO MINIMISE THE CHANCES OF CUSTOMERS BUMPING AGAINST EACH OTHER AND CAUSING TROUBLE.
MRS TAM SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE STEPS TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE PLACES FOR PLAYING BILLIARDS BY SETTING UP PUBLIC BILLIARD CENTRES OR BY SPONSORING INSTALLATION OF FACILITIES BY VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON DOMINIC WONG, THANKED MRS TAM FOR HER SUPPORT.
'I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE HER THAT HIER SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING LICENSING CONDITIONS FOR BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE REFERRED TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS FOR CONSIDERATION.
"1 SHALL ALSO REFER HER
ESTABLISHMENTS RUN BY GOVERNMENT RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS, HE SAID.
PROPOSALS CONCERNING BILLIARD
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO
OR
THE
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