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Public Entertainment and Amusement Bill
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr James So, at the committee, stage of the Public Entertainment and Amusement (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1995 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
I move that the clauses 5 and 13 as set out in the order paper circulated to: Members be amended.
The amendment to clause 5(a)(iii) rectifies a shortcoming in section 7(1)(d) of the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance (PPEO) by extending the scope of the regulation-making power under this subsection to include the power to make regulations to govern the structural and electrical safety of temporary stages, and lighting installation on platforms in places of public entertainment.
The amendment to clause 5(c) will insert a new sub-section 7(2A) which effect will be to limit the general purpose of section 7(1)(f) of the PPEO to ensuring the safety of any persons present in a place of public entertainment should a fire or other emergency occur in that place, and to avoiding disorder in such a place. This is to address concern expressed in certain quarters that the wording of Section 7(1)(f) might be broader than our stated policy intention, which is to prevent disorder and to protect public safety in the course of a public entertainment.
Finally, amendment to clause 13(2) provides a definition for the word "revolve" which will mean "rotate or otherwise move in a circular or any other orbit"..
Mr President, I beg to move.
Mr President,
I move that new clause 5A as set out under my name in the order paper circulated to Members be read the second time.
New clause 5A repeals Section 7C(8) of the ordinance to remove the definition of Licensing Authority which is already included under clause 2 of the Bill. This is just to rectify an oversight.
Mr President, I beg to move.
End/Wednesday, July 19, 1995