TNAG-1734-FCO40-2447-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 283

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PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988

Resumption of debate on Second Reading (15 June 1988)

Question proposed.

Mrs. Tam (in Cantonese):

Sir, billiard has in recent years become a very

popular game and it provides a decent form of entertainment

=

and /ther

and geert, /there is nothing undesirable about the game

due to

itself. But because of the loopholes in the existing

billiard saloons lack adequate and proper legislation, many of the places where this game is plding

unanagement and easily become the breeding ground it does not some under cool pontrol and groviles a

bed

for crime.

wakens,

At present

in Hong Kong

1-

uw private billiard

a

NA

сер

cep

clubs/o not have to apply for/licence. They enjoy a

high degree of freedom in operation and do not come under

the control by way of licensing conditions. But many of

private whichare supposed to

these clubs only provide me entertainment for their

only, aire

members/kin

fact

open to all. In that regard, other licensed billiard saloons they are ne diffuje na e from public saloons. The introduction

different

more efficient management of

of this bill is a major step to introduce/resude control d

to protect the interest of the public.

these saloons and also felt! Spotcation

etion of outlie. I think

the four-tables criteria of licencing, I think is t

the

in appropriate and reasonable.

the bill catch up

Aug-

However, one flay of

the drafting process that fails to

is the slowness of

the

of introduction

As we

with need of the present circumstances. popular games

all know, at do not last long, when problems arise, swift

action has to be takenfor else the action would become