HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
323
Contravention of Bylaw 31 carries a maximum penalty of $50,000 and imprisonment of 6 months and those found in breach of the licensing condition will have their licence suspended or cancelled.
According to Departmental records, only one complaint of raw meat being sold in Siu Mei Shop was received in the past six months. Follow-up investigation revealed that there was no evidence to substantiate the complaint. However, Health Inspectors of the Department detected 18 incidences of such irregularity during regular inspections during the period. Prompt rectification was made by licensees upon receiving verbal warnings. So far, it has not been necessary to resort to prosecution action.
The third part of the question enquires if the Department will review the situation, step up inspection and issue guidelines regarding the restriction of selling raw meat in Siu Mei Shops. In addition to educating licensees of the licensing condition restricting other classes of business on the premises, immediate warnings are given by Health Inspectors upon discovery of the anomaly through regular inspections. A Code of Practice reminding them of the proper handling of Siu Mei Lo Mei has also been distributed to the trade. Blitz operations are also mounted to check on licensed Siu Mei Lo Mei Shops with a view to tightening up control on the hygienic condition of these premises. The Department will closely monitor the situation and step up inspections to problematic shops by increasing the frequency of inspection where necessary.
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):—From my observations, most Siu Mei Lo Mei Shops do not possess Fresh Provision Shop Licences, but they generally sell raw meat either in the shop or at the back door. I note from paragraph 4 of the reply that 18 such incidences were detected during inspections by the Department and that prompt rectification was made upon verbal warnings. I want to know how many inspections or discoveries of irregularity lead to formal prosecution by the Department. As for prompt rectification as stated in the reply, I want to point out that it does not seem to be the case. I hope the Department will take steps to step up enforcement action.
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, there is no record of the prevalence of Siu Mei Lo Mei Shops selling raw meat or displaying whole pigs or chickens for sale. 10-odd cases of irregularities detected during inspections by the Department are really very minor. As Siu Mei Lo Mei Shops roast or cook raw meat into Siu Mei Lo Mei, they may take out intestines to sell or put them at the back of the shop for sale. When a Health Inspector of the Department discovers this, he gives a verbal warning and shops are generally very cooperative. They rectify the situation promptly. If Mr. LEE discovers such cases or is aware of many such incidences in his district or often sees such irregularities, perhaps he can give me or the district's
Page 281 of 498
Page 281 of 498
Page 281 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
323
Contravention of Bylaw 31 carries a maximum penalty of $50,000 and imprisonment of 6 months and those found in breach of the licensing condition will have their licence suspended or cancelled.
According to Departmental records, only one complaint of raw meat being sold in Siu Mei Shop was received in the past six months. Follow-up investigation revealed that there was no evidence to substantiate the complaint. However, Health Inspectors of the Department detected 18 incidences of such irregularity during regular inspections during the period. Prompt rectification was made by licensees upon receiving verbal warnings. So far, it has not been necessary to resort to prosecution action.
The third part of the question enquires if the Department will review the situation, step up inspection and issue guidelines regarding the restriction of selling raw meat in Siu Mei Shops. In addition to educating licensees of the licensing condition restricting other classes of business on the premises, immediate warnings are given by Health Inspectors upon discovery of the anomaly through regular inspections. A Code of Practice reminding them of the proper handling of Siu Mei Lo Mei has also been distributed to the trade. Blitz operations are also mounted to check on licensed Siu Mei Lo Mei Shops with a view to tightening up control on the hygienic condition of these premises. The Department will closely monitor the situation and step up inspections to problematic shops by increasing the frequency of inspection where necessary.
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):—From my observations, most Siu Mei Lo Mei Shops do not possess Fresh Provision Shop Licences, but they generally sell raw meat either in the shop or at the back door. I note from paragraph 4 of the reply that 18 such incidences were detected during inspections by the Department and that prompt rectification was made upon verbal warnings. I want to know how many inspections or discoveries of irregularity lead to formal prosecution by the Department. As for prompt rectification as stated in the reply. I want to point out that it does not seem to be the case. I hope the Department will take steps to step up enforcement action.
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, there is no record of the prevalence of Siu Mei Lo Mei Shops selling raw meat or displaying whole pigs or chickens for sale. 10-odd cases of irregularities detected during inspections by the Department are really very minor. As Siu Mei Lo Mei Shops roast or cook raw meat into Siu Mei Lo Mei, they may take out intestines to sell or put them at the back of the shop for sale. When a Health Inspector of the Department discovers this, he gives a verbal warning and shops are generally very cooperative. They rectify the situation promptly. If Mr. LEE discovers such cases or is aware of many such incidences in his district or often sees such irregularities, perhaps he can give me or the district's
Page 281 of 498
Page 281 of 498
Page 281 of 498
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