XN000022-1982-05-21 — Page 12

FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1982

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NT UNDERTAKERS TO BE LICENSED

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ALL UNDETAKERS OF BURIALS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL

NEED TO BE LICENSED WHEN THE UNDERTAKERS OF BURIALS (NEW TERRITORIES) REGULATIONS 1981 COME INTO FORCE ON JUNE 1.

COMMENTING ON THE NEW REGULATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE

NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID UNDERTAKERS, INCLUDING FUNERAL DIRECTORS, WILL HENCEFORTH BE LICENSED TO UNDERTAKE THE DISPOSAL OF THE DEAD IN CEMETERIES OR CREMATORIA ALLOTED FOR THE PURPOSES.

HOWEVER, THE NEW LEGISLATION WILL NOT AFFECT THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF HELPERS AT VILLAGE BURIALS NOR THE CUSTOMS OF INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN BURYING THEIR DEAD, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.

THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND CONTROLS OVER UNDERTAKERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE THE SAME AS THOSE CONTAINED IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION COVERING THE URBAN AREA.

AS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE NEW LEGISLATION IS TO IMPOSE CONTROLS AIMED AT PREVENTING ILLEGAL BURIALS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE UNDERTAKERS ARE REQUIRED UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION TO KEEP REGISTERS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE DECEASED, AND PARTICULARLY THE LOCATION OF SITES WHERE THE HUMAN REMAINS ARE DISPOSED OF.

THE FEE FOR UNDERTAKERS OF BURIALS LICENCE IS $1 000 PER ANNUM AND APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE AT THE LICENSING OFFICE OF THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS IN GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 7TH FLOOR, 136-138 AUSTIN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI,

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE NO FUNERAL PARLOUR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. HOWEVER, WHEN SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS ARE BUILT, THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR LICENCES UNDER THE FUNERAL PARLOUR (NEW TERRITORIES) REGULATIONS 1981, WHICH ALSO COME INTO OPERATION ON JUNE 1,

THE PROVISIONS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION ARE TO ENSURE ANY PRIVATE FUNERAL PARLOURS TO BE BUILT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE FUTURE TO DISPOSE OF THE DEAD IN A PROPER MANNER WITHOUT RISK TO PUBLIC HEALTH. AGAIN, THIS LEGISLATION IS THE SAME AS EXISTING LEGISLATION COVERING THE URBAN AREA.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO BUILD AND OPERATE A FUNERAL PARLOUR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SHOULD CONTACT THE LICENSING OFFICE OF THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS.

J