XN000022-1983-10-12 — Page 23

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1983

DBS HAVE STRONG LINKS WITH OTHERS

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STRONG LINKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORGED BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER CONSULTATIVE BODIES IN HONG KONG WITHIN THE SHORT SPAN OF A YEAR AND THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE ADDED THAT WORK WAS IN HAND TO REVIEW THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCAL ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEY MIGHT BE IMPROVED.

MR AKERS-JONES WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON WONG LAM, ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND MEASURES TAKEN TO STRENGTHEN LIAISON BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.

+THERE ARE ALREADY STRONG DIRECT LINKS BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS AND THEIR MEMBERS WITH OTHER COUNCILS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, AND THESE ARE BEING STRENGTHENED, HE SAID.

HE SAID IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THE BOARDS WERE LINKED DIRECTLY WITH RURAL COMMITTEES AND THUS WITH THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND IN THE CITY WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL.

IN ADDITION, THERE ARE 17 BOARD MEMBERS SERVING ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND ITS COMMITTEES, AND SOME MEMBERS ON THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS.

REVISION OF LIQUOR LICENCE FEES FOR NT

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LIQUOR LICENCE FEES FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE REVISED FROM NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR TO BRING THEM MORE INTO LINE WITH THOSE FOR THE URBAN AREAS.

THE REVISION IS THE FIRST IN 27 YEARS AND FOLLOWS CONSULTATIONS WITH THE LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK.

THE NEW FEES FOR NT LIQUOR LICENCES WILL BE $1 000 FOR ESTABLISHMENTS WITH A BAR AND $500 FOR THOSE WITHOUT A BAR, COMPARED WITH THE EXISTING FEES OF $500 AND $250, RESPECTIVELY. NT CLUB LIQUOR LICENCES WILL ALSO BE REVISED FROM $250 TO $375.

COMMENTING ON THE REVISED FEES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE INCREASES WERE NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH CLOSER UNIFORMITY BETWEEN NT AND URBAN LIQUOR LICENCE FEES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT EXISTING LIQUOR LICENCE FEES FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, SET IN 1956, WERE NOW ONLY ONE-THIRD OF THOSE IN THE URBAN AREAS.