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licences is expected to increase in future, and the number of appeal cases is likely to rise as a result. In my opinion, only non-officials should be appointed as members to the committee responsible for handling cases of appeal against the licensing authority's decision on licensing or related matters, no matter whether such committee is the existing Review Select Committee or the future Licensing Appeals Committee.
At present, the Review Select Committee hears appeal cases of numerous types of licences, including licences of food premises, billiard establishments, market stalls, newspaper stands and tradesmen, etc. The majority of which involve small-scale business. A semi-judicial arbitration mechanism like the Review Select Committee allows the appellants to voice their grievances without having to bear any legal costs. Such a mechanism has been working effectively as it is uncomplicated, economical of time and money.
As Chairman of the existing Review Select Committee, I am very concerned about the channels by which the small traders may lodge appeals on licensing matters in future and the ways such appeals will be handled. In disregard of the fate of the Council, I hope that efficiency and fairness will continue to be the guiding principle of the future mechanism for handling licensing appeal matters.
Mr. Chairman, these are my remarks. Thank you.
MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman,
The first paragraph has been improvised as I have just heard the remarks made by the Hon. LI Wah-ming. While claiming that he was not speaking against the appointed Members of the Council, he said if the appointed Members did not like elections, they should not serve as Members. I guess my colleagues must be embarrassed. I do not know whether they are really embarrassed or not, but I feel sorry for them for they have been rebuked. I think that the appointed Members do not know how to please the public with claptrap and cater to their likes, and therefore do not know how to run for office. However, they have the capability to serve the public. I would not object to the appointing of Members by the Chief Executive if he chooses the right calibre, and I would not give earnest support either. In a word, I cannot accept the remarks that "if the appointed Members do not like elections, they should not serve as Members". I think this is rather incorrect. Now I am going to deliver my prepared speech.
Mr. Chairman, so long as we hold on to the truth, those who are against us will be unable to withstand the test of time and will eventually agree with our views, though quite subconsciously. On New Year Day this year, the Hon. LEE Cheuk-yan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, said frankly that the Alliance had no authority to interfere with the personal freedom of any people participating in the Alliance's activities, nor did they have the authority to
Page 368 of 606
Page 368 of 606
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356
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
licences is expected to increase in future, and the number of appeal cases i likely to rise as a result. In my opinion, only non-officials should be appointed as members to the committee responsible for handling cases of appeal agains the licensing authority's decision on licensing or related matters, no matter whether such committee is the existing Review Select Committee or the future Licensing Appeals Committee.
At present, the Review Select Committee hears appeal cases of numerous types of licences, including licenses of food premises, billiard establishments market stalls, newspaper stands and tradesman etc.. the majority of which involve small scale business. A semi-judicial arbitration mechanism like the Review Select Committee allows the appellants to voice their grievances without having to bear any legal costs. Such mechanism has been working effectively as it is uncomplicated, economical of time and money.
As Chairman of the existing Review Select Committee, I am very concerned about the channels by which the small traders may lodge appeals on licensing matters in future and the ways such appeals will be handled. In disregard of the fate of the Council, I hope that efficiency and fairness will continue to be the guiding principle of the future mechanism for handling licensing appeal
matters.
Mr. Chairman, these are my remarks. Thank you.
MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman,
The first paragraph has been improvised as I have just heard the remarks made by the Hon. Li Wah-ming. While claiming that he was not speaking against the appointed Members of the Council, he said if the appointed Members did not like elections, they should not serve as Members. I guess my colleagues must be embarrassed. I do not know whether they are really embarrassed or not, but I feel sorry for them for they have been rebuked. I think that the appointed Members do not know how to please the public with claptrap and cater to their likes, and therefore do not know how to run for office. However, they have the capability to serve the public. I would not object to the appointing of Members by the Chief Executive if he chooses the right calibre, and I would not give earnest support either. In a word, I canno accept the remarks that "if the appointed Members do not like elections, they should not serve as Members". I think this is rather incorrect. Now I am going to deliver my prepared speech.
Mr. Chairman, so long as we hold on to the truth, those who are against us will be unable to withstand the test of time and will eventually agree with our views, though quite subconsciously. On New Year Day this year, the Hon. LEB Cheuk-yan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, said frankly that the Alliance had no authority to interfere with the personal freedom of any peopl participating in the Alliance's activities, nor did they have the authority to
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