XN000022-1981-12-23 — Page 10

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1991

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LAW ON PUBLIC GAME MACHINE CENTRES

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THE NEW LAW ON LICENSING OF PUBLIC GAME MACHINE CENTRES WAS READ A SECOND TIME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN MOVING THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES (AMENDMENT) BIL 198 THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON D.C. BRAY, SAID

SAID HE BILL IS INTENDED TO BLOCK A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW AND TO REGULATE CENTRES WHERE MACINE GAMES COULD BE PROVIDED.

MR BRAY SAID +SMALL THOUGH THE LOOPHOLE WAS, IT WILL NOT COME AS A SURPRISE TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS THAT HONG KONG ENTREPRENEURS DARTED THROUGH IT. THEY MUST HAVE KNOWN WE SHOULD BE AFTER THEM.

+WHILE WE CANNOT BEGRUDGE THE LEGAL PROFITS THEY MAY HAVE REAPED, NO ONE SHOULD SHED TEARS WHEN WE CATCH UP AND CLOSE DOWN THESE DINGY UNLICENSED CENTRES, WITH THEIR TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE ATMOSPHERE.

+THEY ARE OVERCROWDED, DARK, BADLY VENTILATED, AND A NUISANCE TO THE NEIGHBOURS. NO AGE LIMIT IS ENFORCED.

+QUITE RIGHTLY THESE UNLICENSED CENTRES HAVE GIVEN RISE TO MUCH PUBLIC CONCERN AND WE ARE NOW ACTING,+

HE SAID THAT ONCE THE BILL WAS PASSED, IMMEDIATE POLICE ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST UNLICENSED CENTRES AND ANYONE CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE RELATING TO RUNNING AN UNLICENSED CENTRE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET A LICENCE FOR A LEGITIMATE CENTRE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

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