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has already entered into contractual arrangements for provision of the venue to the hirer, who has in turn entered into contractual arrangements with the performer.
Indecent performances are prohibited under the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap.228). Law enforcement is outside the purview of the Council. Complaints of this nature should be directed to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution. Upon receipt of complaints of this nature, the Department will advise the complainants to report to the Police. The Department has a hotline for all sorts of complaints (2868-0000). There is no need to set up a separate channel to deal with complaints on programme content.
When evaluating booking applications from hirers, many factors have to be taken into account when there are competitive applications for use of our venues. It would however be difficult for the Council to penalize applicants who have not breached either the terms and conditions of previous venue bookings or the Urban Council Civic Centres By-laws.
Ms. JENNIFER CHOW KIT-BING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have several follow-up questions. First of all, part one of the reply states that the Council only offers venues for hire. I want to know if the Council, as the provider of venues for hire, imposes any terms or conditions to control the emergence of indecent or obscene elements.
My second question concerns the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority as mentioned in part one of the reply. It used to be a requirement for organizers of entertainment programmes to apply to TELA for a Places of Public Entertainment Licence, but the requirement was repealed on 28-7-1995. Will the Council tell us the reason for this repeal?
My third question concerns the complaints hotline as referred to in paragraph 4 of the reply. The complaints hotline is a direct tool for the gathering of public opinions. With the provision of this hotline, there were still complaints from citizens against concerts. Citizens feel they do not have a channel to complain and they do not know what to do. Will the Council consider setting up a special hotline for gathering of complaints of this nature so that citizens will not be confused about what to do?
MR. WEN CHOY-BON (in Cantonese);—I will try to respond to Ms. Chow's questions. If a complaint has to do with matters pertaining to the Council's terms of reference, the Department will take appropriate action after investigations. As mentioned just now, if the content of a concert or any programme carries an indecent element, it is no longer within the jurisdiction of the Urban Council. We will refer the matter to suitable government departments. Let me give an example. If a complaint is against public transport or road traffic in the vicinity of the performance venue, we will refer
Page 427 of 498
Page 427 of 498
Page 427 of 498
Page 427 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
471
has already entered into contractual arrangements for provision of the venue to the hirer, who has in turn entered into contractual arrangements with the performer.
Indecent performances are prohibited under the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228). Law enforcement is outside the purview of the Council. Complaints of this nature should be directed to the Police for investigation and Ipossible prosecution. Upon receipt of complaints of this nature, the IDepartment will advise the complainants to report to the Police. The Department has a hotline for all sorts of complaints (2868-0000). There is no need to set up a separate channel to deal with complaints on programme
.content.
When evaluating booking applications from hirers, many factors have to be taken into account when there are competitive applications for use of our venues. It would however be difficult for the Council to penalize applicants who have not breached either the terms and conditions of previous venuc bookings or the Urban Council Civic Centres By-laws.
Ms. JENNIFER CHOW KIT-BING (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I have several follow-up questions. First of all, part one of the reply states that the Council only offers venues for hire. I want to know if the Council, as the provider of venues for hire, imposes any terms or conditions to control the emergence of indecent or obscene elements.
My second question concerns the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority as mentioned in part one of the reply. It used to be a requirement for organizers of entertainment programmes to apply to TELA for a Places of Public Entertainment Licence, but the requirement was repealed on 28-7-1995. Will the Council tell us the reason for this repeal?
My third question concerns the complaints hotline as referred to in paragraph 4 of the reply. The complaints hotline is a direct tool for the gathering of public opinions. With the provision of this hotline, there were still complaints from citizens against concerts. Citizens feel they do not have a channel to complain and they do not know what to do. Will the Council consider setting up a special hotline for gathering of complaints of this nature so that citizens will not be confused about what to do?
MR. WEN CHOY-BON (in Cantonese);—I will try to respond to Ms. Chow's questions. If a complaint has to do with matters pertaining to the Council's terms of reference, the Department will take appropriate action after investigations. As mentioned just now, if the content of a concert or any programme carries an indecent element, it is no longer within the jurisdiction of the Urban Council. We will refer the matter to suitable government departments. Let me give an example. If a complaint is against public transport or road traffic in the vicinity of the performance venue, we will refer
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