XN000022-1983-08-10 — Page 10

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1983

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MASSAGE PLACES BILL SUPPORTED

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THE MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS BILL WAS DEFINITELY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER THE HON PETER C WONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR WONG, CONVENER OF THE LEGISLATION SCRUTINY GROUP OF UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, WAS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

TWO OTHER UNOFFICIALS, REV THE HON JOYCE M BENNETT AND THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION,

MR WONG PRAISED THE WORKING PARTY OF THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH FOR +SOME POSITIVE AND CLEAR THINKING+,

AT PRESENT, MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS COME UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE, ENACTED 50 YEARS AGO.

MR WONG SAID: +OBVIOUSLY, THIS ORDINANCE AND THE REGULATIONS MADE THEREUNDER, THOUGH REVISED AND UP-DATED ON NO LESS THAN 14 AND 31 OCCASIONS RESPECTIVELY, ARE HOPELESSLY OUT OF DATE AND BADLY IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT.

+CIRCUMSTANCES TO-DAY REQUIRE A MORE SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM OF LICENSING AND CONTROL, AND THIS IS WHAT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION SEEKS TO ESTABLISH,+

HE SAID THE LEGISLATION SCRUTINY GROUP OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WERE IN GENERAL AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW PROPOSAL.

+DETAILED CONSULTATIONS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION RESULTED IN FIVE AGREED AMENDMENTS, MOST OF WHICH ARE OF A TECHNICAL NATURE, HE SAID.

MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE ADVANTAGES OF THE NEW SYSTEM WERE MANY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL1-

* PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE AND FLEXIBLE CONTROL OF MASSAGE

ESTABLISHMENTS.

* MAKE IT EASIER TO PROSECUTE UNLICENSED MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS

AND PROVIDE HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR REPEATED OFFENCES.

* ALLOW FOR FLEXIBILITY REGARDING HOURS OF OPERATION.

THE LICENSING AUTHORITY, HOWEVER, WILL ONLY FIX THE HOURS OF OPERATION AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICERS THROUGH THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION. GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO GIVE AN UNDERTAKING TO THIS EFFECT.

* DISALLOW FUTURE APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES IN RESPECT

OF MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS LOCATED IN DOMESTIC PREMISES. THE FEW LICENSED ESTABLISHMENTS ALREADY IN SUCH PREMISES WILL BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN BUT THEY WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO BENEFIT FROM THE NEW RULES.

/* IMPOSE

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