TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 155

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been considered by the Attorney General's Chambers that a

particular publication is objectionable. Following that I

understand from the Commissioner of Police that very speedy

action will be possible and will be taken.

Mrs. Fan:- In the Secretary's answer he referred to one of

the four main purposes and that is, voluntary pre-publication

and pre-distribution submission to the tribunal. I wonder

whether Government will consider that in the case of a publication

which has in the past shown little discretion as far as

their standard goes they should be required to submit their

publication before it is distributed to the tribunal?

W

Secretary for Administrative Services and Information:- Sir, I

used the word voluntary very carefully in an attempt to assure

the public that Government does not intend to pre-censor

publications as opposed to films and television programmes.

I think, Sir, the pre-censoring of publications in itself has

enormous implications and that is not being considered.

Mrs. Chow:- Sir, in his answer the Secretary referred to the

composition and the consistency of the tribunal. Could I ask

him how these are to be formulated?

Secretary for Administrative Services and Information:- Sir, almost

by definition, if any body were to establish to study different

publications that body would have a consistent view as opposed

to different magistrates being required to look at particular

magazines or publications, having their own subjective and

therefore different views.