present 102 cinemas throughout the territory. About ten cinemas regularly show films branded as 'not suitable for children'. If this number remains largely unchanged, it is estimated that five inspectors, of the rank of Senior Foreman, would be required at an annual cost of about $450,000. To permit adequate coverage of all cinemas, it is proposed to issue the inspectors with motorcycles at an estimated capital cost of $50,000.
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Regulations to be made under the proposed bill would provide for fees to be fixed at levels which would enable the Film Censorship Authority to recover all expenditure incurred in connection with the examination of films.
LEGISLATIVE TIMETABLE
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Subject to Members' approval to the proposals in paragraph 7, the legislative timetable would be
be as follows
Publication in the Gazette
First Reading and commencement of the Second Reading debate
Resumption of Second Reading
debate
Conclusion of Second Reading
debate, committee stage and Third Reading
5 June 1987
17 June 1987
1 July 1987
to be notified
PUBLIC REACTION
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It is anticipated that the general public and the trade will
will support the publication of the Bill for public information and comment. It is expected that some District Boards might consider the consultation period of only six weeks too short, but it will be stressed that both the Administration and the Legislature seek to rectify the known legal deficiencies and to
to introduce film classification system at the earliest opportunity.
35
a
Some controversy is, nevertheless, expected over the inclusion of censorship principles in the Bill which enable films to be censored
to be censored on political grounds, e.g. a film which 'incites hatred or contempt
contempt of the system of Government of Hong Kong' or is 'prejudicial to good relations with places outside Hong Kong'. A section of