XN000022-1988-06-29 — Page 22

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988

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POWER TO CLOSE UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES

* * * * *

A BILL SEEKING TO ENABLE THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO STOP OPERATIONS OF UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES BY PHYSICALLY CLOSING THE PREMISES OR VESSELS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988,

THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ADOLF HSU, SAID THAT' ΤΟ PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, OPERATORS OF UNLICENSED PRESENT PROSECUTED UNDER THE FOOD BUSINESS COUNCIL) BY-LAWS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.

FOOD BUSINESSES WERE AT (URBAN COUNCIL)/ (REGIONAL

"IF THE LICENCE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED UPON THE SECOND CONVICTION, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD APPLY TO THE COURT FOR A PROHIBITION ORDER OR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER SECTION 128

THE OF PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE то STOP THE ILLEGAL FOOD OPERATORS FROM CONTINUING WITH THEIR UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES," MR HSU SAID.

HE SAID THAT SECTION 128 OF THE ORDINANCE EMPOWERED A

AN ORDER MAGISTRATE TO MAKE

EITHER TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF THE OR PREMISES OR VESSEL FOR ALI. OR ANY PURPOSES (A PROHIBITION ORDER), TO CLOSE THE UNLICENSED PREMISES OR VESSEL EITHER WHOLLY OR IN PART (A CLOSURE ORDER).

"AS THERE ARE NO FURTHER PROVISIONS IN THIS ORDINANCE ENABLING THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS ΤΟ CARRY OUT THE CLOSURE ORDERS BY PHYSICALLY CLOSING PREMISES OR VESSELS, THIS AMENDMENT BILL 18 NECESSARY ΤΟ ENABLE THE OBJECTIVE OF STOPPING UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES TO BE ACHIEVED, HE POINTED OUT.

MR HSU SAID THAT BESIDES SEEKING ΤΟ EMPOWER RELEVANT PUBLIC OFFICERS TO PHYSICALLY CLOSE THE PREMISES OR VESSEL IN QUESTION, THE BILL ALSO AMENDED THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THE POWER OF ARREST ΤΟ FACILITATE THE WORK OF STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN CLOSURE ORDERS.

CARRYING

PENALTIES FOR TWO NEW OFFENCES WERE ALSO PRESCRIBED.

ירים

ENTERING OR REMAINING ON ANY PREMISES OR VESSEL UNDER A CLOSURE ORDER WOULD ATTRACT A FINE OF $60,000 AND 12 MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT, WITH A DAILY FINE OF $1,000.

UNLAWFULLY INTERFERING WITH OR REMOVING ANY DEVICE USED FOR CLOSING THE PREMISES OR VESSEL, OR REMOVING ANY CLOSURE WOULD ATTRACT A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.

NOTICE, ETC.

/MR HSU