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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
495
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, a point of order regarding the amendment. After reading the amendment, I see that it is in fact a new motion. Ms. Ada WONG's original motion pinpoints 'whether it is necessary to have a pre-censorship system in place' for discussion, but the amended motion in no way concerns censorship.
It is stipulated in Standing Order 21(12) that amendments to motions are restricted to the addition or deletion of wording without changing the original motion into a new one or negating the original motion. I would like the Chairman to make a ruling. Since the amended motion is a brand new one with nothing to do with censorship, I think the Chairman should rule that we cannot discuss it here. We should go back to the original motion and discuss it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):--When I received the amendment, I considered it carefully. First of all, it should not alter the spirit of the original motion, and secondly, it could only alter the wording of the original motion. Let us compare it with the content of the original motion. 'Devise any pre-censorship system' is changed to 'comply with the terms and conditions of hire of the Council venue and the laws of Hong Kong'. There is some change of wording.
To my understanding, 'pre-censorship system' is one of the conditions of hire. I shall speak on this later on. I am satisfied that the amended motion is in accordance with the spirit of the Standing Order and I therefore accept it. I shall explain when I speak on this later on. I don't want to speak before the amended motion is moved and seconded. Will Mr. PAO speak please?
(3) (b) MR. PAO PING-WING moved an amendment in accordance with Standing Order 21(12A) as follows:-RESOLVED that the Council reaffirm that bookings for activities and programmes organized by hirers of any Council venue must comply with the terms and conditions of hire of the Council venue and the laws of Hong Kong.
He said (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, when Ms. Ada WONG started to speak just now, she referred to a statement in Mr. WEN Choy-bon's reply that 'it would not be appropriate for the Urban Council to have any role or responsibility in evaluating programme content of hirer events'. It shows that she is very clear about our present terms and conditions. There is no mention of any kind of censorship in our terms and conditions of hire. Our role is as the provider of venue. She has a clear answer in her mind about this. That is why she referred to the statement.
Mr. Chairman, the clear reply given by Mr. WEN shows that the amended motion I am moving not only covers Ms. Ada Wong's concern (her concern towards pre-censorship), but also fully ensures the suitability of the use of our venues.
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