1975 — Page 73

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MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, is it pro- posed that the increase will be brought forward during the course of this year or during the course of the next financial year?

DR. HU (in English):-We will implement as soon as possible after the amendment of the Hawkers By-laws.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-That answers my question, thank you!

DR. HU (in English):-If it had already been the law to increase the hawker licence fees, then, of course, it would bring in revenue this year.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-And I presume that before that is brought into force, it will be brought to the attention of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.

DR HU (in English): -Yes, certainly.

(2) MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo asked the following question (in English):--

Having regard to the fact that the Advertisements Sub- Committee of the Administration Select Committee com- pleted its study of the proposed legislation on advertise- ments in May this year, will the Chairman of that Select Committee inform us what progress has been made in having such legislation enacted?

MR. JOHN MACKENZIE, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—

Mr. Chairman, the Administration Select Committee has pro- duced proposals to revise the existing legislation on advertisements with a view to:

(a) imposing stricter controls over advertisements in the interests of improving the environment generally, and of preventing the erection of dangerous and unsafe signs; and

(b) licensing advertisements so as to generate additional

revenue for the Council.

Following several meetings of the Advertisements Sub-Com- mittee, the proposals were presented to the Administration

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Select Committee on 23rd June, 1975 and approved with minor amendments.

Following that meeting, the Department circulated the pro- posals for consideration by the Secretariat and various interested Government departments. It is essential that this be done before proceeding further with revised legisla- tion as the proposals are of fundamental concern and interest to a number of Government departments as well as to the Urban Council. Thus, for example, the Building Authority and the Fire Services Department are concerned with the stability and safety of advertisement signs, whilst the Transport, Marine and Civil Aviation Departments must be satisfied that the proposals give them adequate powers to ensure that advertisement signs will not inter- fere with road traffic, or with marine and air navigation. The Secretariat is involved because of the financial im- plications.

Replies from a number of departments are still awaited; the department is pressing for these by early next month. Advertising associations will also be consulted. The various comments will then be submitted to the Advertise- ments Sub-Committee for consideration and for deciding what amendments to the proposed legislation are called for.

MR. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, these proposals have been circulated to the various Government departments concerned for almost half a year. Could those departments who have not yet replied be vigorously pressed to give a reply as soon as possible?

MR. MACKENZIE (in English):---Mr. Chairman, may I assure Mr. Lo that, as far as the Administration Select Committee is concerned, we will assert such pressure as we can on the Government departments involved. I have asked, and I am asking, that the matter be placed on the agenda of the December meeting of the Administration Select Com- mittee by which time I would certainly expect all replies to be received.

(3) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English): -

When will the enclosed area at the northwest corner of Victoria Park, adjacent to Waterfront Road, be opened for public use and what are its development plans?