TNAG-1734-FCO40-2447-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 37

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SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION:

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We are aware that comic books depicting violence

and sex have been available at certain commercial outlets

for some time. In a recent survey of 32 newspaper vendors

and street stalls, three were found to be selling articles

that is indecent that is obscene

classified as class II or III/ in contravention of the

Ordinance.

II for III in

force

and Excial

Officers of the Police, the Customs/Department

and the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment

the

Licensing are

re/delegated authority to refer materials for

consideration by the Obscene Articles Tribunal.

In

addition, the Commissioner for Television and

Entertainment Licensing responds to complaints on such

as well as from comics from the public and District Boards. Since the

Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance came

into effect on 1 September 1987, the Obscene Articles.

Tribunal has (as at 25 June) considered 197 comic books.

(that is suitable for general circulation) Six were classified class I, 123 as indecent and 68 as

obscene. There have been

involving 131 comic books.

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successful prosecutions

Fines imposed by the courts

have ranged from $500 to $12,000, with most offenders

having been fined about $1,000.

..../The Commissioner