XN000022-1996-03-27 — Page 46

End

(c)

31 -

The Marine Department conduct surprise checks on a random basis on ferries departing for and arriving from China. For example, in February 1996, staff of the Department carried out. 18 surprise checks but found no case of overloading. Such spot checks will continue.

The Director of Marine has also issued a letter on 14 February 1996 to all shipping companies operating ferry services between Hong Kong and China asking them to remind their masters that it is an offence to exceed the certified capacity of the vessel.

Prohibition of pornographic data on Internet

Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Hon-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr T H Chau, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It was reported that on 1 February this year, the United States Congress passed an amendment to the Telecommunication Act prohibiting the communication of pornographic and objectionable information through the Internet. The amendment prescribes that offenders are liable to a fine of US$250,000 and imprisonment for two years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a)

(b)

there is any plan to amend or introduce legislation to prohibit the communication of pornographic and objectionable information through the Internet in the territory and to impose penalty on offenders; if so, what are the details; if not, why not; and

a mechanism will be established to monitor computer networks in the territory in order to trace the sources of pornographic and objectionable information; if so, what are the details; if not, why not?