Page 455 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
499
I feel that we should consider this whole matter from a macro point of view. We should not just restrict ourselves to considering Cat. 3 programmes. I therefore feel that Mr. PAO Ping-wing's amendment is more comprehensive. He is not simply referring to obscenity and the use of foul language, he views the matter comprehensively. I accept his amendment. That is my explanation in response to the question raised just now by Mr. LAI Hok-lim.
I hope the mover of the original motion will respond to what I have just said. You see the Entertainment Select Committee considers applications from venue hirers every month. It is routine business and we do it month after month. We will continue to do so as it is the responsibility of the Urban Council.
THE HON. MOK YING-FAN (in Cantonese):—Basically, I share the Chairman's view and the arguments put forth by Mr. PAO. I was somewhat shocked when I received Ms. Ada WONG Ying-kay's motion shortly before the Chinese New Year. I asked myself whether I had been engaged in the business of censorship since becoming a Member of the Urban Council in 1989. My answer was in the negative. As the administration and management authority, I believe the Council should have authority or a mechanism to deal with matters. For matters to be dealt with as pointed out by the Chairman just now, I don't think they have anything to do with censorship. Today, I had the opportunity to read the content of the questionnaire set by Ms. Wong and distributed to people including ex-Urban Council Deputy Chairman Mr. Lo King-man. My feeling is that the questionnaire has misled the 31 people concerned. I wonder if the Urban Council will be able to forward the content of today's discussion to the said 31 people so that they will get a true picture.
Mr. Chairman, I have considered the matter thoroughly. I feel that we are not practicing a censorship system. The answer is the same as given in the reply by Mr. WEN Choy-bon to another question. I suddenly remember a Buddhist saying about raising the level of things. It says, 'The Peepul tree has no shape, nor does the clear mirror. If there is nothing, dust cannot gather.' The saying tells us not to create trouble for ourselves. If there is nothing, we should not fabricate things and upset ourselves.
MR. CHAN CHO-HI (in Cantonese):—I think the original motion by Ms. WONG is commendable in spirit, because she is in fact very concerned about whether there is a censorship system in place. In fact, I have discussed the issue with friends and colleagues present today. We feel that firstly, we should not have a censorship system, and secondly, given our resources, we cannot manage to implement one. For example, can we ask everyone to present documents and material for us to vet beforehand? We do not ask anyone of this at present. In other words, we do not have a review of the content of the performances. We get to know when a performance is staged. Our people cannot afford to read the scripts and study into the gestures of the players. We
Page 455 of 498
Page 455Page 456
Page 455 of 498
Page 455 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
499
I feel that we should consider this whole matter from a macro point of view. We should not just restrict ourselves to considering Cat. 3 programmes. I therefore feel that Mr. PAO Ping-wing's amendment is more comprehensive. He is not simply referring to obscenity and the use of foul language, he views the matter comprehensively. I accept his amendment. That is my explanation. in response to the question raised just now by Mr. LAI Hok-lim.
I hope the mover of the original motion will respond to what I have just said. You see the Entertainment Select Committee considers applications from venue hirers every month. It is routine business and we do it month after month. We will continue to do so as it is the responsibility of the Urban Council.
THE HON. MOK YING-FAN (in Cantonese):—Basically, I share the Chairman's view and the arguments put forth by Mr. PAO. I was somewhat shocked when I received Ms. Ada WONG Ying-kay's motion shortly before the Chinese New Year. I asked myself whether I had been engaged in the business of censorship since becoming a Member of the Urban Council in 1989. My answer was in the negative. As the administration and management authority, I believe the Council should have authority or a mechanism to deal with matters. For matters to be dealt with as pointed out by the Chairman just now, I don't think they have anything to do with censorship. Today, I had the opportunity to read the content of the questionnaire set by Ms. Wong and distributed to people including ex-Urban Council Deputy Chairman Mr. Lo King-man. My feeling is that the questionnaire has misled the 31 people concerned. I wonder if the Urban Council will be able to forward the content of today's discussion to the said 31 people so that they will get a true picture.
Mr. Chairman. I have considered the matter thoroughly. I feel that we are not practicing a censorship system. The answer is the same as given in the reply by Mr. WEN Choy-bon to another question. I suddenly remember a Buddhist saying about raising the level of things. It says, 'The Pecpul tree has no shape, nor does the clear mirror. If there is nothing, dust cannot gather.' The saying tells us not to create trouble for ourselves. If there is nothing, we should not fabricate things and upset ourselves.
MR. CHAN CHO-HI (in Cantonese):-I think the original motion by Ms. WONG is commendable in spirit, because she is in fact very concerned about whether there is a censorship system in place. In fact, I have discussed the issue with friends and colleagues present today. We feel that firstly, we should not thave a censorship system, and secondly, given our resources, we cannot Imanage to implement one. For example, can we ask everyone to present edocuments and material for us to vet beforehand? We do not ask anyone of tthis at present. In other words, we do not have a review of the content of the Eperformances. We get to know when a performance is staged. Our people ccannot afford to read the scripts and study into the gestures of the players. We
Page 455 of 498
Page 455Page 456
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.