XN000022-1996-05-17 — Page 10

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"The definition of 'hotel' and 'guesthouse' under the ordinance has allowed establishments which offer accommodation to certain categories of persons, such as persons of a particular nationality or clients of one tourist agency, to operate outside the ambit of the Ordinance," he said.

"These establishments are in substance hotels and guesthouses and should be licensed so that their safety is under control."

He also said the interpretation of the term "any person presenting himself" in the definition by a High Court judge in an appeal case in March had restricted the scope of application of the ordinance as the judge ruled that hotels which accepted guests with prior reservations were not within the purview of the Ordinance.

"This judgment has created a loophole whereby hotels could claim that they let rooms in response to prior reservations and should not be subject to licensing," he said.

"To address the deficiencies, we propose that the definition of 'hotel' and 'guesthouse' be amended so that its scope includes establishments which offer accommodation to limited categories of persons; and that a person can present himself in person or through an agent or a representative, with or without prior booking."

On the period of licences issued to hotels and guesthouses, the spokesman said it was proposed that licences of up to three years' validity be issued or renewed.

He explained that most hotels had been issued licences with schedules containing major safety works and timetables for completion, and LA would consider issuing to hotels which had completed the scheduled works licences valid for up to three years in order to obviate the need for annual licence renewal.

"However, three-year licences cannot be issued without amending the ordinance." he said.

"The approval of three-year licences will be considered on a case by case basis and be granted only for establishments that are fulfilling the fire and building safety standards and would not abuse the licensing control," he stressed.

"Guesthouses may also be considered for three-year licences provided that the above conditions are fulfilled."

The spokesman said another amendment proposed was that notices for remedial works and in relation to closure order could be served by posting them in a conspicuous part of the premises.

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