XN000022-1996-12-03 — Page 13

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"Furthermore, a building professional should preferably be consulted and a registered contractor should be appointed for the erection work.

"The most important thing is that all advertising signs should be repaired and maintained regularly to ensure public safety. They should also be removed when they are no longer in use," Mr Lau said.

End

Blitz on unlicensed guesthouses in Yuen Long

The Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the Police mounted a joint operation against unlicensed guesthouses in Yuen Long this (Tuesday) afternoon.

The enforcement action was part of HAD's continuing effort to crack down on unlicensed guesthouses.

During the operation, officers from HAD's Licensing Authority and the Police inspected eight guesthouses in Tung Lok Street and Kik Yeung Road in Yuen Long

town centre.

Two guesthouses were found to be operating without a licence while three persons suspected to be involved in operating or managing the premises were taken back to police station for further investigation. They will be issued summonses charging them with operating or managing unlicensed guesthouses under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.

A spokesman for HAD said operators of the guesthouses had already been reminded to complete the improvement works required on time; otherwise, they would have to cease operation immediately as unlicensed guesthouses would definitely not be tolerated.

"We urge members of the public to patronise only licensed guesthouses for their own safety and to help in the crackdown of unlicensed guesthouses by reporting them to the Licensing Authority on 2881 7034." the spokesman said.

End