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our staff to carry out that kind of work. Very often, staff of the Department made us feel or get the impression they could not do so. In actual fact, it was not that they could not, but that they do not want to do certain jobs. As chairman of the Council's Working Group on the Control of Illegal hawking, I asked the Assistant Director Mr. CHU whether we could invoke the Summary Offences Ordinance to prosecute the above offenders. He replied clearly that both the police and HCTs could invoke the ordinance and prosecute the above-mentioned persons for obstruction.
So, I have no reservations in supporting the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese): I support the motion. Let me make myself clear right from the beginning. The situation is getting worse and more serious. I represent the Wanchai District. Just look at the Wanchai and Causeway Bay MTR Stations and streets in the vicinity. Whenever there is a busy shop, we see stalls put up by telecommunication, internet and other commercial operators. These people either hand out packets of gifts or tout for custom with file folders in hand. Their activities are against the law no matter you take it as obstruction or touting.
I find it strange that there are two law enforcement departments with power to take actions, but no action is seen as observed by other Members. Can we just sit and watch people 'touting customers' in our streets and distributing gifts? I think the situation described by me is really very serious. I hope that through this motion, we can push the Department to cooperate with the police or take actions separately. I think we should take this up as soon as possible and there is no need to refer the matter to others. Of course, enforcement actions can only be taken up by the two departments. I just feel that the current situation is very serious. I hope something can be done soon to stop nuisances to the public. If nothing is done, other people will follow examples and try to sell services or commodities on our streets. If that happens, I can't imagine what our streets will become of.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I am speaking on the original motion. I can hear some saying that I have already spoken. Am I regarded as having spoken for moving the procedural motion, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): No, it isn't.
MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN (in Cantonese): If not, then certain Members have made a mistake. I agree that the existing marketing .......
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, when Mr. Albert Lai spoke for the first time, he first commented on the original motion before
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our staff to carry out that kind of work. Very often, staff of the Department made us feel or get the impression they could not do so. In actual fact, it was not that they could not, but that they do not want to do certain jobs. As chairman of the Council's Working Group on the Control of Illegal hawking, I asked the Assistant Director Mr. CHU whether we could invoke the Summary Offences Ordinance to prosecute the above offenders. He replied clearly that both the police and HCTs could invoke the ordinance and prosecute the above-mentioned persons for obstruction.
So, I have no reservations in supporting the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese):-1 support the motion. Let me make myself clear right from the beginning. The situation is getting worse and more serious. 1 represent the Wanchai District. Just look at the Wanchai and Causeway Bay MTR Stations and streets in the vicinity. Whenever there is a busy shop, we see stalls put up by telecommunication, internet and other commercial operators. These people either hand out packets of gifts or tout for custom with file folders in hand. Their activities are against the law no matter you take it as obstruction or touting.
I find it strange that there are two law enforcement departments with power to take actions, but no action is seen as observed by other Members. Can we just sit and watch people 'touting customers' in our streets and distributing gifts? I think the situation described by me is really very serious. I hope that through this motion, we can push the Department to cooperate with the police or take actions separately. I think we should take this up as soon as possible and there is no need to refer the matter to others. Of course, enforcement actions can only be taken up by the two departments. I just feel that the current situation is very serious. I hope something can be done soon to stop nuisances to the public. If nothing is done, other people will follow examples and try to sell services or commodities on our streets. If that happens, I can't imagine what our streets will become of.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. ALBERT Lat Wing-lin (in Cantonese):~Mr. Chairman, I am speaking on the original motion. I can hear some saying that I have already spoken Am I regarded as having spoken for moving the procedural motion, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—No, it isn't.
MR. ALBERT Lat Wing-lin (in Cantonese):—If not, then certain Members have made a mistake, 1 agree that the existing marketing .......
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, when Mr. Albert Lal spoke for the first time, he first commented on the original motion before
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