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elements. I am concerned that this may become a social trend and adversely affect the young audience. I wish to ask:
(a) since Urban Council is responsible for renting out venues for staging concerts, whether it is necessary for the Council to set up a system to monitor whether the content contains indecent and obscene elements; (b) whether Urban Council will consider setting up a complaint machinery to enable citizens to monitor the content of concerts. For example, if there are complaints from some citizens that the content contains indecent or obscene elements, whether Urban Council will consider giving prudent deliberation to future application(s) from the organizer or performer.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): As the Chairman of the Entertainment Select Committee is out of town and not present at today's meeting, I invite its Vice-Chairman Mr. WEN Choy-bon to give a reply.
MR. WEN CHOY-BON, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): Before answering the question, I want to ask the Chairman if I have the right to answer it in my capacity as Vice-Chairman of the Entertainment Select Committee. Do I need authorization from Mr. Kam Nai-wai before doing so?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): As Chairman, I have the right to authorize you. In fact, I have decided to authorize you.
MR. WEN CHOY-BON (in Cantonese): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. CHOW's question can be divided into three parts. The first part asks whether it is necessary for the Council to set up a system to monitor whether the content of programmes held at venues on hire contains indecent and obscene elements.
The second part asks whether the Council will consider setting up a machinery for citizens to monitor the content of concerts.
The third part asks whether the Council will consider giving prudent consideration to future applications from the organizer or performer of programmes found to have the above content.
It would not be appropriate for the Urban Council, as a venue provider, to have any role or responsibility in evaluating programme content of hirer events. Members may recall that in the past, organizers of live performances were required under the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance, Cap. 172, to obtain a Places of Public Entertainment (PPE) Permit from the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority. This provision was repealed with effect from 28 July 1995.
Even if the Council wished to evaluate content of programmes, there would be practical difficulties because the content of many events will not be known in detail until the day of actual public performance, by which time the Council
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426 of 498
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
elements. I am concerned that this may become a social trend and adversely affect the young audience. I wish to ask:
(a) since Urban Council is responsible for renting out venues for staging concerts, whether it is necessary for the Council to set up a system to monitor whether the content contains indecent and obscene elements; (b) whether Urban Council will consider setting up a complaint machinery to enable citizens to monitor the content of concerts. For example, if there are complaints from some citizens that the content contains indecent or obscene elements, whether Urban Council will consider giving prudent deliberation to future application(s) from the organizer or performer.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-As the Chairman of the Entertainment Select Committee is out of town and not present at today's meeting, I invite its Vice- Chairman Mr. WEN Choy-bon to give a reply.
MR. WEN CHOY-BON, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-Before answering the question. I want to ask the Chairman if I have the right to answer it in my capacity as Vice-Chairman of the Entertainment Select Committee. Do I need authorization from Mr. Kam Nai-wai before doing so?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-As Chairman, I have the right to authorize you. In fact I have decided to authorize you.
MR. WEN CHOY-BON (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. CHOW's question can be divided into three parts. The first part asks whether it is necessary for the Council to set up a system to monitor whether the content of programmes held at venues on hire contains indecent and obscene elements.
The second part asks whether the Council will consider setting up a machinery for citizens to monitor the content of concerts.
The third part asks whether the Council will consider giving prudent consideration to future applications from the organizer or performer of programmes found to have the above content.
It would not be appropriate for the Urban Council, as a venue provider, to have any role or responsibility in evaluating programme content of hirer events. Members may recall that in the past, organizers of live performances were required under the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance, Cap. 172, to obtain a Places of Public Entertainment (PPE) Permit from the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority. This provision was repealed with effect from 28 July 1995.
Even if the Council wished to evaluate content of programmes, there would be practical difficulties because the content of many events will not be known in detail until the day of actual public performance, by which time the Council
Page 426 of 498
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