XN000022-1993-07-14 — Page 21

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1993

MRS WONG CONCLUDED: "IF WE MOVE FORWARD ΤΟ CATER TO THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AND ANTICIPATE THE NEEDS OF THE FUTURE, WE SHOULD, FROM A WIDE SPECTRUM OF OPTIONS, SELECT THOSE MOST APPROPRIATE TO HONG KONG AND MOST ACCEPTABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

**I HOPE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL OPENLY AND FRANKLY PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS. WE NEED TO SEE YOUR NEEDS THROUGH YOUR EYES."

THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.

ALL VIEWS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, BOX 8138, GENERAL POST OFFICE, ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, THIS YEAR.

PO

AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES BILL PASSED

THE AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES BILL WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH AN EFFECTIVE REGULATORY REGIME FOR LICENSING AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES.

ADDRESSING MEMBERS' CONCERN OVER THE OPERATION OF VENDING MACHINES AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE SALES, MR SUEN SAID THE PRIMARY PURPOSE A VENDING MACHINE WAS FOR THE SALE OF MERCHANDISE RATHER THAN FOR PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT.

OF

"FURTHERMORE, THE ELEMENT OF CHANCE IS ABSENT.

"IT IS THEREFORE NOT OUR INTENTION TO CONTROL VENDING MACHINES UNDER THIS LEGISLATION, HE SAID.

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HOWEVER, WITH REGARD TO COMPUTER SOFTWARE VENDORS, MR SUEN SAID THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN AN AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRE LICENCE, IF THEY PROVIDED AMUSEMENT GAMES ON THEIR PREMISES AT A CHARGE.

BUT THOSE COMPUTER VENDORS WHO SELL SOFTWARE FOR PRIVATE USE WOULD NOT REQUIRE SUCH A LICENCE, HE SAID.

MR SUEN NOTED THE LICENSED AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES TRADE ASSOCIATION LTD'S OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED CUT-OFF AGE OF 16 FOR ADMISSION INTO ADULT'S AND CHILDREN'S CENTRES.

THAT

THE ASSOCIATION ARGUED FOR THE ADOPTION OF A SYSTEM SIMILAR TO USED FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF FILMS, WHICH PROVIDES FOR A CUT- OFF AGE OF 18.

BUT MR SUEN ASSERTED THAT AMUSEMENT GAMES AND FILM VIEWING WERE TWO DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT.

/"THE PHYSICAL