XN000022-1996-06-27 — Page 71

48

Reply:

Under section 70 of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap 221), which was repealed in 1993, the court could order a young offender who was under 18 when the offence was committed to be detained until Her Majesty's pleasure (HMP) shall be known. There are now 24 persons serving such sentences.

At present, the Governor may pardon or remit the sentence of any offender (including offenders detained under HMP) pursuant to Article XV of the Letters Patent. After 30 June 1997, the Chief Executive will be similarly empowered under Article 48(12) of the Basic Law.

End

Amusement games centres inspection

Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Man-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport, Mr Chau Tak-hay, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Since the implementation of the Amusement Game Centres Ordinance (the Ordinance) in December 1993, some amusement game centres are still found providing video games with obscene, gambling or violent contents and also allowing children to play these games in contravention of the licensing conditions for such centres. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of:

(a)

(b)

the number of inspections conducted on amusement game centres as well as the number of amusement game centres inspected by the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) in 1994 and 1995;

the total number of written warnings issued by TELA to those amusement game centres providing video games with obscene, gambling or violent contents, and the number of amusement game centres whose licenses have been revoked or which have been prosecuted for providing such games,

since the implementation of the Ordinance; and