TNAG-1731-FCO40-2444-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 234

MRS. CHOW:

Sir,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 18 MAY 1988

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Film Censorship Bill 1988

Second Reading of Bi

I support the film classification system contained in the Bill so long as its practice complies with the Administration's stated intention that it is a liberalizing move to enable footage, which under the present censorship standards, would be either excised

in the

future. or banned, to be shown to audiences aged 18 or above It has been put by the trade that there are signs of the tightening of standards

now relating to sex and violence in anticipation of the passage of this Bill. If this has happened, I can understand why. Administration has assured that films currently marked unsuitable for children will all be classified as fategory II films without

in the futur 2. legal restrictions on age But this assurance will present

films that and difficulties to the censors in future, for unsuitable for children films nowadays include those which can only be described as adult films le and belong only in category III in the future scheme of things.

the

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suggest therefore that Government clarifies this point, but more importantly, ensures consistency and clarity in standards by spelling out in simple terms for the censors as well as the trade , what constitutes fategory III. The application of these terms would obviously require common sense. This would not only save a lot of

time and argument in the long run, but also establish a fairness and consistency in our system of censorship which are necessary to gain the trust and support of the trade and the public.

An outstanding matter which I believe has not been

resolved at this time is an unanswered question raised by the trade as to what constitutes reasonable precautions (as contained in clause 20 (3)). I can understand the Administration's reluctance to be involved in a definition, given that whatever definition will not have any legal effect, and at the end of the day it will be up to the courts to decide whether precautions taken have indeed been

reasonable.

(I)