TNAG-1726-FCO40-2439-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 277

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It will be an offence to exhibit a Category III

film to a person under the age of 18 years as provided for

in clause 20. It will be a defence to such a charge that

the person charged took all reasonable precautions to

prevent the film being exhibited

to underage viewers.

Administrative guidance will be given to the film industry

on what might constitute reasonable precautions'.

تالفة

le

After careful consideration

are not proposing

B

to make the viewing of a Category III film by an underage

person a criminal offence. However the Authority will

advise parents in writing when their children are found at

such screenings.

ster

le

(3)

I acknowledge the concern of the industry on the

practical problems of enforcing the underage rule but I

would point out that the exhibition of Category III films

is optional. Those operators who are content to exhibit

films which conform with current censorship standards will

not have to accept the extra responsibility of ensuring

that under

under

erfage persons are excluded.

The Authority will have power under clause 23 to

appoint inspectors to undertake checks of all cinemas to

enforce the film classification system and to initiate

prosecutions against offending operators. It is proposed

to appoint five inspectors to provide the necessary

coverage for the 115 local cinemas.

Stet