Page 549 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
469
Police Tactical Unit. With the exception of two police social clubs, which are not in police premises, and have been issued with liquor licences, police messes and canteens have not been licensed for the sale and consumption on the premises of liquor. In January 1999, as I will explain later in my reply, the situation has changed and currently an application from one of these messes is being processed, and three canteens operated by contractors in police stations have also applied for liquor licences. I understand that further applications may be on the way.
The second part of the question asks about how long messes and staff canteens in police stations have been involved in the sale of liquor without a liquor licence. The Police have had messes for over 100 years, dating from the time when all single officers were required to live in police stations. Residential messes were closed down in about 1976, but continued to run on a communal basis providing catering services to officers working in the police formations. In the 1980s similar messes on a smaller scale were set up for non-commissioned officers.
According to legal advice recently obtained by the Police, the mode of operation of these police messes is somewhat similar to that of a club. They therefore apparently require a club liquor licence under Regulation 26(1) of the Dutiable Commodities (Liquor) Regulations, Cap 109 if liquor is supplied on the premises. Based on this legal advice, the Commissioner of Police has directed that the supply of liquor in all messes is to cease immediately until such time as the necessary licences have been obtained. For canteens in police stations, the catering contractor is responsible to obtain all necessary licences. It has long been a Police policy that sale of liquor is actively discouraged in canteens, and in any case is not permitted unless the catering contractor holds a liquor licence.
On the last part of the question, the Commissioner of Police is extremely conscious of his role as the enforcement authority under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and thus endeavours to ensure that there is no conflict in respect of enforcement as regards Police facilities. It is for this reason therefore that the Commissioner, acting on legal advice, stopped the sale and supply of liquor in police messes and canteens. The Commissioner has also instructed police messes to apply for liquor licences where alcohol is served. This has resulted in the four applications mentioned in the first part of my reply. The Department therefore recommends that at this point in time there is no need for the Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) to conduct any special investigation as the Police are now complying with licensing requirements. However, the LLB, under my chairmanship, will continue to keep this matter under review so as to ensure that the Police fully comply with all the necessary licensing requirements in respect of the sale and consumption on the premises of liquor.
Page 549 of 606.
Page 549 of 606
Page 549 of 606
Page 549 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
469
Police Tactical Unit. With the exception of two police social clubs, which are not in police premises, and have been issued with liquor licences, police messes and canteens have not been licensed for the sale and consumption on the premises of liquor. In January 1999, as I will explain later in my reply, the situation has changed and currently an application from one of these messes is being processed, and three canteens operated by contractors in police stations have also applied for liquor licences. I understand that further applications may be on the way.
The second part of the question asks about how long messes and staff canteens in police stations have been involved in the sale of liquor without a liquor licence. The Police have had messes for over 100 years, dating from the time when all single officers were required to live in police stations. Residential messes were closed down in about 1976, but continued to run on a communal basis providing catering services to officers working in the police formations. In the 1980s similar messes on a smaller scale were set up for non-commissioned officers.
According to legal advice recently obtained by the Police, the mode of operation of these police messes is somewhat similar to that of a club. They therefore apparently require a club liquor licence under Regulation 26(1) of the Dutiable Commodities (Liquor) Regulations, Cap 109 if liquor is supplied on the premises. Based on this legal advice, the Commissioner of Police has directed that the supply of liquor in all messes is to cease immediately until such time as the necessary licences have been obtained. For canteens in police stations, the catering contractor is responsible to obtain all necessary licences. It has long been a Police policy that sale of liquor is actively discouraged in canteens, and in any case is not permitted unless the catering contractor holds a liquor licence.
On the last part of the question, the Commissioner of Police is extremely conscious of his role as the enforcement authority under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and thus endeavours to ensure that there is no conflict in respect of enforcement as regards Police facilities. It is for this reason therefore that the Commissioner, acting on legal advice, stopped the sale and supply of liquor in police messes and canteens. The Commissioner has also instructed police messes to apply for liquor licences where alcohol is served. This has resulted in the four applications mentioned in the first part of my reply. The Department therefore recommends that at this point in time there is no need for the Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) to conduct any special imvestigation as the Police are now complying with licensing requirements. Fllowever, the LLB, under my chairmanship, will continue to keep this matter under review so as to ensure that the Police fully comply with all the necessary licensing requirements in respect of the sale and consumption on the premises of liquor.
Page 549 of 606.
Page 549 of 606
Page 549 of 606
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.