TNAG-1447-FCO40-1931-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-meet-1986 — Page 177

3

There has been a decrease in the number of cases involving the use of genuine firearms and pistol-like objects in crime in the first nine months of 1985 as compared to the same period in 1984. As yet no conclusions may readily be drawn and the working group will continue to monitor the statistics.

Chapter IV - Robberies in high-rise buildings

The Working Group on Robberies in High-rise Buildings continued to work on a draft Bill to introduce amendments to the Watchmen Ordinance. We agreed with the working group that, with the object of improving the quality of watchmen, a set of guidelines should be established to advise Government departments on letting and supervising contracts for watchmen. The working group will co-ordinate the issue of a circular containing guidelines on contracts for watchmen to all Government departments. The gist of it will be made available to the public through the District Fight Crime Committees.

The working group continued to monitor progress of the establishment of a more representative Security Association, which until recently did not have as members the two largest groups of security companies. One of them, however, joined the Association in August 1985 and the other is likely to join it in the near future.

Chapter V - Film classification system

We have already endorsed the proposals for arrangements to enforce a film classification system. We will continue to monitor progress in respect of the enactment of the proposed Film Censorship Bill and of the creation of the

· necessary posts to enforce the system.

Chapter VI - Provisional closure order scheme to suppress nuisance caused by vice-associated establishments

We endorsed proposals by the Working Party

on Vice-associated Establishments and Environmental Nuisance to ease the problem of nuisance caused by vice-establishments in

residential buildings with a scheme involving the use of closure orders. The City and New Territories Administration is now revising the draft Bill, having consulted the District Boards and District Fight Crime Committees on the proposals.