TNAG-1735-FCO40-2448-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 172

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 18 May 1988

Mrs. CHow has sought an assurance that the current standards of censorship would not be tightened in order to accommodate category III films in the future. I have been assured by the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing that the current standards have not been tightened. For the future, and if the Bill is passed into law, films currently classified as suitable for general exhibition would be category I. Those currently classified as not suitable for children would be category II. Any films which go beyond category II but nevertheless can be approved for restricted exhibition to adults will be classified as category III.

Sir, I believe that it is common ground that under age persons caught in cinemas watching category III films should not be deemed to have committed an offence. Members have suggested that such young persons should be properly identified and that letters should be sent to their parents to serve as a deterrent. This step will be implemented.

Mrs. Rosanna TAM has suggested that the Administration should

go further than this and circulate such letters, confidentially, to school social workers. Such a step would require an examination of broader issues. I can already see several difficulties. First, we doubt whether the inspectors would have powers to require anyone to identify his parents or school. Second, we feel that even if such information were volunteered, it might be inaccurate or misleading, giving rise to the risk of libel action against the Administration if a person were misidentified in a letter. Finally, the Director of Education has expressed the view that it might be advisable not to give the impression that the supervision of children's social life is anything other than the responsibility of the parents. Given these difficulties, I feel there is a need to examine further the feasibility of Mrs. TAM's proposal.

Sir, I will not attempt to respond to Mr. Andrew WONG's lengthy speech. I will only say that while he may see things differently from us, perhaps the best way to respond would be to say that when he sees the bottle as half-empty, we see it as half-full.

With these remarks, Sir, may I beg to move.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read the Second time.

Bill committed to the Committee of the whole Council pursuant to Standing Order 43(1).

4.27 pm

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT: Members might wish to take a short break at this point before we move into the Committee stage.

4.54 pm

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