1993 — Page 65

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Secondly, does the Department have any special operations targeting at licensed newspaper stalls that are selling illegal products or that are not supposed to be sold by them such as video tapes?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—In principle, all hawkers should adhere to the licensing conditions, if not, we will prosecute them. As I said, 952 hawkers were prosecuted. Some of the reasons include the breach of standard dimensions of the stalls. As for whether we have targeted at newspaper stalls that are selling unauthorized goods, we have operations in this regard and they are included in the figure of 952 prosecutions. This problem also involves other government departments such as the selling of category III video tapes. This is within the ambit of the TELA and I think the TELA will follow up this too.

MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, according to the answer by the Chairman of the MST Select Committee, the control of obstruction of the newspaper stalls has the support from the Police as well. We know that within a very short period of time, the Police will no longer be involved in the management of the hawkers. With the withdrawal of the Police, can the Department carry out similar effective control of hawkers in terms of obstruction of the newspaper hawkers?

Secondly, one more question for the Chairman of the MST Select Committee: 1,286 operations have been carried out over the past two months. Are they carried out regularly? How many of them have been taken by the Police? With the withdrawal of the Police, how many additional manpower is required to carry out our operations?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect to the involvement of the Police, should there be any triad involvement, we will relay or reflect it to the Police for their actions. As for illegal extensions of stalls or selling of unauthorised goods, this is within the ambit of the USD and we will do it alone. As for prosecution against obstruction of streets by the Police, I can't give you the specific figure today. But if you need them I can liaise with the Police and report the figure to you later.

MR. CHAN KWOK-MING (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have two questions for Mr. Ip.

On the second part of the question, it is said that there is no restriction over the business hours of the hawkers. Can we consider restricting the business hours of the newspaper stalls? It is because according to my observation, many of the hawkers have let their licences to other hawkers at night. Say in Mongkok a monthly rent is $5,000 and very often the hawkers have sub-let their stalls to other hawkers.

Can we have some restrictions on the operational hours?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We can discuss in our MST Select Committee to see whether we should have restrictions over their business hours. But in principle we do not allow any sub-letting of stalls or licences. Should there be such happenings, we will consider enforcement action or even revocation of their licences.

MR. WONG SHUI-LAI (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As far as I remember correctly, I have read a report saying that the RSD will not be issuing any newspaper licence within the RC area. If this report is true, will our Department or will the Urban Council consider to follow suit at the appropriate time?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—In principle, we will not be granting any further licences for newspaper hawkers. Of course there is exception. Licence will only be issued after the Review S/C has agreed under very special circumstances. But in principle we will not be granting any more newspaper hawkers licence.

THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—I have a follow up question. At some newly completed public housing estates, there are some newspaper stalls. Do they have a licence or are they doing business without a licence?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Mr. MAN, can you repeat your question?

THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—In private housing estates, they do have newspaper hawkers. If it is our policy for quite a number of years not to issue any newspaper licence, are you saying that these hawkers are operating without licences?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—We need to clarify the question first. First, we have to check whether they are selling newspaper in shop or on the street. If they are renting shops in private housing estates, then they do not need a licence from us. If they are selling newspapers on street, then first of all we have to look at the exact location first, otherwise I will not be able to answer whether it is legal or not.

THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—In many private estates, they are residential cum commercial buildings. There are a lot of restaurants there. Outside these restaurants, it is very frequent to have newspaper stalls. Are they licensed or not?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—Then it depends on individual locations. It is because in some locations, some fixed pitch newspaper stalls are relocated because of road construction or change of surrounding environment. We can offer them a choice to relocate it to another site in the vicinity. Perhaps some of them can be selling outside new restaurants.

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Page 65 of 132 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Secondly, does the Department have any special operations targeting at licensed newspaper stalls that are selling illegal products or that are not supposed to be sold by them such as video tapes? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—In principle, all hawkers should adhere to the licensing conditions, if not, we will prosecute them. As I said, 952 hawkers were prosecuted. Some of the reasons include the breach of standard dimensions of the stalls. As for whether we have targeted at newspaper stalls that are selling unauthorized goods, we have operations in this regard and they are included in the figure of 952 prosecutions. This problem also involves other government departments such as the selling of category III video tapes. This is within the ambit of the TELA and I think the TELA will follow up this too. MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, according to the answer by the Chairman of the MST Select Committee, the control of obstruction of the newspaper stalls has the support from the Police as well. We know that within a very short period of time, the Police will no longer be involved in the management of the hawkers. With the withdrawal of the Police, can the Department carry out similar effective control of hawkers in terms of obstruction of the newspaper hawkers? Secondly, one more question for the Chairman of the MST Select Committee: 1,286 operations have been carried out over the past two months. Are they carried out regularly? How many of them have been taken by the Police? With the withdrawal of the Police, how many additional manpower is required to carry out our operations? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect to the involvement of the Police, should there be any triad involvement, we will relay or reflect it to the Police for their actions. As for illegal extensions of stalls or selling of unauthorised goods, this is within the ambit of the USD and we will do it alone. As for prosecution against obstruction of streets by the Police, I can't give you the specific figure today. But if you need them I can liaise with the Police and report the figure to you later. MR. CHAN KWOK-MING (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have two questions for Mr. Ip. On the second part of the question, it is said that there is no restriction over the business hours of the hawkers. Can we consider restricting the business hours of the newspaper stalls? It is because according to my observation, many of the hawkers have let their licences to other hawkers at night. Say in Mongkok a monthly rent is $5,000 and very often the hawkers have sub-let their stalls to other hawkers. Can we have some restrictions on the operational hours? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We can discuss in our MST Select Committee to see whether we should have restrictions over their business hours. But in principle we do not allow any sub-letting of stalls or licences. Should there be such happenings, we will consider enforcement action or even revocation of their licences. MR. WONG SHUI-LAI (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As far as I remember correctly, I have read a report saying that the RSD will not be issuing any newspaper licence within the RC area. If this report is true, will our Department or will the Urban Council consider to follow suit at the appropriate time? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—In principle, we will not be granting any further licences for newspaper hawkers. Of course there is exception. Licence will only be issued after the Review S/C has agreed under very special circumstances. But in principle we will not be granting any more newspaper hawkers licence. THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—I have a follow up question. At some newly completed public housing estates, there are some newspaper stalls. Do they have a licence or are they doing business without a licence? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Mr. MAN, can you repeat your question? THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—In private housing estates, they do have newspaper hawkers. If it is our policy for quite a number of years not to issue any newspaper licence, are you saying that these hawkers are operating without licences? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—We need to clarify the question first. First, we have to check whether they are selling newspaper in shop or on the street. If they are renting shops in private housing estates, then they do not need a licence from us. If they are selling newspapers on street, then first of all we have to look at the exact location first, otherwise I will not be able to answer whether it is legal or not. THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—In many private estates, they are residential cum commercial buildings. There are a lot of restaurants there. Outside these restaurants, it is very frequent to have newspaper stalls. Are they licensed or not? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—Then it depends on individual locations. It is because in some locations, some fixed pitch newspaper stalls are relocated because of road construction or change of surrounding environment. We can offer them a choice to relocate it to another site in the vicinity. Perhaps some of them can be selling outside new restaurants. Page 65 of 132 Page 66 of 132
Baseline (Original)
Page 65 of 132 Page 65 of 132 135 134 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Secondly, does the Department have any special operations targeting at licensed newspaper stalls that are selling illegal products or that are not supposed to be sold by them such as video tapes? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-In principle, all hawkers should adhere to the licensing conditions, if not, we will prosecute them. As I said, 952 hawkers were prosecuted. Some of the reasons include the breach of standard dimensions of the stalls. As for whether we have targeted at newspaper stalls that are selling unauthorized goods, we have operations in this regard and they are included in the figure of 952 prosecutions. This problem also involves other government departments such as the selling of category III video tapes. This is within the ambit of the TELA and I think the TELA will follow up this too. MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, according to the answer by the Chairman of the MST Select Committee, the control of obstruction of the newspaper stalls has the support from the Police as well. We know that within a very short period of time, the Police will no longer be involved in the management of the hawkers. With the withdrawal of the Police, can the Department carry out similar effective control of hawkers in terms of obstruction of the newspaper hawkers? Secondly, one more question for the Chairman of the MST Select Committee: 1 286 operations have been carried out over the past two months. Are they carried out regularly? How many of them have been taken by the Police? With the withdrawal of the Police, how many additional manpower is required to carry out our operations? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect to the involvement of the Police, should there be any triad involvement, we will relay or reflect it to the Police for their actions. As for illegal extensions of stalls or selling of unauthorised goods, this is within the ambit of the USD and we will do it alone. As for prosecution against obstruction of streets by the Police, I can't give you the specific figure today. But if you need them I can liaise with the Police and report the figure to you later. MR. CHAN KWOK-MING (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have two questions for Mr. Ip. On the second part of the question, it is said that there is no restriction over the business hours of the hawkers. Can we consider restricting the business hours of the newspaper stalls? It is because according to my observation, many of the hawkers have let their licences to other hawkers at night. Say in Mongkok a monthly rent is $5,000 and very often the hawkers have sub-let their stalls to other hawkers. Can we have some restrictions on the operational hours? Page 65 of 132 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We can discuss in our MST Select Committee to see whether we should have restrictions over their business hours. But in principle we do not allow any sub-letting of stalls or licences. Should there be such happenings, we will consider enforcement action or even revocation of their licences. MR. WONG SHUI-LAI (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As far as I remember correctly, I have read a report saying that the RSD will not be issuing any newspaper licence within the RC area. If this report is true, will our Department or will the Urban Council consider to follow suit at the appropriate time? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-In principle, we will not be granting any further licences for newspaper hawkers. Of course there is exception. Licence will only be issued after the Review S/C has agreed under very special circumstances. But in principle we will not be granting any more newspaper hawkers licence. THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-I have a follow up question. At some newly completed public housing estates, there are some newspaper stalls. Do they have a licence or are they doing business without a licence? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Mr. MAN, can you repeat your question? THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-In private housing estates, they do have newspaper hawkers. If it is our policy for quite a number of years not to issue any newspaper licence, are you saying that these hawkers are operating without licences? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-We need to clarify the question first. First, we have to check whether they are selling newspaper in shop or on the street. If they are renting shops in private housing estates, then they do not need a licence from us. If they are selling newspapers on street, then first of all we have to look at the exact location first, otherwise I will not be able to answer whether it is legal or not. THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-In many private estates, they are residential cum commercial buildings. There are a lot of restaurants there. Outside these restaurants, it is very frequent to have newspaper stalls. Are they licensed or not? MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Then it depends on individual locations. It is because in some locations, some fixed pitch newspaper stalls are relocated because of road construction or change of surrounding environment. We can offer them a choice to relocate it to another site in the vicinity. Perhaps some of them can be selling outside new restaurants. Page 65 of 132 Page 65Page 66 Page 66 of 132
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Secondly, does the Department have any special operations targeting at licensed newspaper stalls that are selling illegal products or that are not supposed to be sold by them such as video tapes?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-In principle, all hawkers should adhere to the licensing conditions, if not, we will prosecute them. As I said, 952 hawkers were prosecuted. Some of the reasons include the breach of standard dimensions of the stalls. As for whether we have targeted at newspaper stalls that are selling unauthorized goods, we have operations in this regard and they are included in the figure of 952 prosecutions. This problem also involves other government departments such as the selling of category III video tapes. This is within the ambit of the TELA and I think the TELA will follow up this too.

MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, according to the answer by the Chairman of the MST Select Committee, the control of obstruction of the newspaper stalls has the support from the Police as well. We know that within a very short period of time, the Police will no longer be involved in the management of the hawkers. With the withdrawal of the Police, can the Department carry out similar effective control of hawkers in terms of obstruction of the newspaper hawkers?

Secondly, one more question for the Chairman of the MST Select Committee: 1 286 operations have been carried out over the past two months. Are they carried out regularly? How many of them have been taken by the Police? With the withdrawal of the Police, how many additional manpower is required to carry out our operations?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect to the involvement of the Police, should there be any triad involvement, we will relay or reflect it to the Police for their actions. As for illegal extensions of stalls or selling of unauthorised goods, this is within the ambit of the USD and we will do it alone. As for prosecution against obstruction of streets by the Police, I can't give you the specific figure today. But if you need them I can liaise with the Police and report the figure to you later.

MR. CHAN KWOK-MING (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have two questions for Mr. Ip.

On the second part of the question, it is said that there is no restriction over the business hours of the hawkers. Can we consider restricting the business hours of the newspaper stalls? It is because according to my observation, many of the hawkers have let their licences to other hawkers at night. Say in Mongkok a monthly rent is $5,000 and very often the hawkers have sub-let their stalls to other hawkers.

Can we have some restrictions on the operational hours?

Page 65 of 132

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We can discuss in our MST Select Committee to see whether we should have restrictions over their business hours. But in principle we do not allow any sub-letting of stalls or licences. Should there be such happenings, we will consider enforcement action or even revocation of their licences.

MR. WONG SHUI-LAI (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As far as I remember correctly, I have read a report saying that the RSD will not be issuing any newspaper licence within the RC area. If this report is true, will our Department or will the Urban Council consider to follow suit at the appropriate time?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-In principle, we will not be granting any further licences for newspaper hawkers. Of course there is exception. Licence will only be issued after the Review S/C has agreed under very special circumstances. But in principle we will not be granting any more newspaper hawkers licence.

THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-I have a follow up question. At some newly completed public housing estates, there are some newspaper stalls. Do they have a licence or are they doing business without a licence?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Mr. MAN, can you repeat your question?

THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-In private housing estates, they do have newspaper hawkers. If it is our policy for quite a number of years not to issue any newspaper licence, are you saying that these hawkers are operating without licences?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-We need to clarify the question first. First, we have to check whether they are selling newspaper in shop or on the street. If they are renting shops in private housing estates, then they do not need a licence from us. If they are selling newspapers on street, then first of all we have to look at the exact location first, otherwise I will not be able to answer whether it is legal or not.

THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-In many private estates, they are residential cum commercial buildings. There are a lot of restaurants there. Outside these restaurants, it is very frequent to have newspaper stalls. Are they licensed or not?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Then it depends on individual locations. It is because in some locations, some fixed pitch newspaper stalls are relocated because of road construction or change of surrounding environment. We can offer them a choice to relocate it to another site in the vicinity. Perhaps some of them can be selling outside new restaurants.

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