XN000022-1992-07-01 — Page 48

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992

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FILM CENSORSHIP FEES TO BE REVISED FROM JULY 10

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD APPROVED AN INCREASE IN FILM CENSORSHIP FEE FROM $50 TO $56 PER MINUTE OF RUNNING TIME TO RECOVER INCREASED COSTS.

"THE REVISION REPRESENTS A 12 PER CENT INCREASE TO COVER INFLATION WHICH WOULD MEAN, IN DOLLAR TERMS, AN INCREASE FROM THE PRESENT $4,500 TO $5,040 FOR A 90-MINUTE FEATURE FILM; A VERY SMALL AMOUNT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRODUCTTON COSTS OF A FILM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS ALSO APPROVED THAT THE FEES FOR THE EXAMINATION OF A STILL FILM AND THE ISSUE OF A FILM REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE, WHICH WERE FIXED IN 1988, BE INCREASED FROM $10 TO $16 AND FROM $80 TO $130 RESPECTIVELY WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 10.

HE SAID.

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"THE INCREASE WOULD HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON THE FILM INDUSTRY,

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO EMPHASISED THAT CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS AND FILM CLUBS WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED AS THERE WERE PROVISIONS UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS FOR THEM TO SEEK FEE EXEMPTION.

"IN PRACTICE, FILMS PRESENTED DURING FILM FESTIVALS AND BY CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE PAYMENT OF A CENSORSHIP FEE," HE ADDED.

GOVT SUPPORTS QUALITY DEVELOPMENTS IN BUSINESSES

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THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE ΤΟ MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE EXISTING QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES AND ENSURE THE TIMELY INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES AS NEEDS ARISE, THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG Q-MARK COUNCIL LICENCE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND SEMINAR, MR FUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PROMOTE QUALITY IN BUSINESS OPERATIONS.

HE SAID QUALITY TRENDS IN HONG LONG'S OVERSEAS MARKETS, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF ITS MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, WERE BEING MONITORED TO DETERMINE ANY NEW REQUIREMENTS.

"QUALITY DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA THAT MAY AFFECT HONG KONG ARE UNDER REGULAR REVIEW, HE ADDED.

/MR FUNG