TNAG-0976-FCO40-1195-Legislation-for-public-health-and-urban-services-in-Hong-Kon-1980 — Page 77

XCR(77)230A

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Licence Fee

Pitch/stall Allocation

Total Revenue

1976/77

$256, 460.

Nil

Phase I $ 559,275

$ 556, 580

Phase II

$1,037,975

$1, 102, 530

$ 256, 460 $1,115, 855 $2,140,405

O.S. * ;

Public Relations Aspects

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Although the existing fee structure bears little relation to present day values, any increase is likely to cause a sharp adverse reaction on the part of the public in general and from the hawkers in particular. It is suggested that criticism from the general public will probably be based on sentiment relating, in the main, to the now outdated view of hawking as a social welfare function carried on by those members of society unable to engage in any other form of employment for reasons of penury and ill health.

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However, there is a potential for strong support from the commercial sections of the community for any measures which will redress the present imbalance of competition which exists in favour of hawking at the lower level of retail outlets. With this in mind, and if Honourable Members approve these new regulations, the Director of Urban Services would propose to launch a publicity campaign to explain the proposed restructuring of fees to the general public.

Advice Sought

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(a)

(b)

Honourable Members will be asked to advice:

under section 83A of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance (Chapter 132), whether the Hawker (New Territories) (Amendment) Regulations 1977 at Annex A should be made; and

whether the new fees should be introduced in two phases as proposed in paragraph 15 above.

(The Director of Urban Services (Mr B. D. WILSON)

•

the Deputy Law Draftsman (Acting) (Mr J. F. MATHEWS) and the Principal Assistant Secretary for the Environment (Mr AP, BENNETT) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).

3rd August 1977 (ENV 30/11/04 III)

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