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The following is issued on behalf of the Betting and Lotteries Commission:
In response to media enquiries on issues relating to the public consultation session held by the Betting and Lotteries Commission (BLC), the BLC gave the following reply today (April 8):
The BLC had earlier invited members of the public to submit written representations on Hong Kong Jockey Club's proposals on horse racing activities, through its secretariat in the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB). A public consultation session was further held on March 29.
The purpose of inviting written representations from the public was to enable the BLC to understand accurately the views provided by organisations and individuals. The written submissions also served as the records for future reference. Organisations and individuals who had submitted written submissions might also attend and speak at the public consultation session to present their views to the BLC in person.
The public consultation session served to provide a platform for members of the BLC to hear in person the views from the public, but it was not for discussion or decision making. Any organisation or individual who had submitted written submission might speak at the public consultation session with prior notification to the secretariat, regardless of what the views were in the written submission. To facilitate smooth proceeding of the public consultation session, speaking time limits were set respectively for representatives of organisations and individuals. All representatives of organisations and individuals attending the session were invited to speak within the applicable speaking time limits.
As a matter of fact, the speaking arrangements for the public consultation session had followed the established practice adopted by the BLC in previous public consultation session.
The BLC had applied the public consultation arrangements fairly and equally to all and the entire consultation process had been conducted in a fair and open manner.
The BLC is carefully considering the views obtained from the public, and will soon make its recommendations to the HAB.
Ends/Friday, April 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 22:06
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