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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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with the Council's stipulations and the laws of Hong Kong, it is a must and it is indisputable. I support the original motion by Ms. Ada WONG. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. WEN CHOY-BON (in Cantonese): Concerning Ms. Ada WONG's motion 'RESOLVED that the Council reaffirm that it would not devise any pre-censorship system regarding the activities and programmes organized by hirers of any Council venue', I think the term pre-censorship is very ambiguous and too broad. Or shall I say that we do not know if it includes no need for the Council to find out the use of venues or the kind or format of programmes. If that is the case, how can we, as provider of venues, make arrangements to facilitate hirers on their use of the venues?
The amended motion moved by Mr. Pao is for the Council to reaffirm activities and programmes organized by hirers of any Council venue must comply with the terms and conditions of hire of the Council venue and the laws of Hong Kong. I think it is much clearer. I think we should require that a hirer complies with the terms and conditions of hire before permission is granted for the hire. If individual Members feel this is infringement on artistic freedom or creativity, or they call this pre-censorship, then I think they are just politicizing this discussion.
Let me take up some of your time by reading out some of the contents of the Council's terms and conditions of hire.
'Hirers must comply with the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, terms and conditions of hire, all notices issued to the hirers and other ordinances including those to do with public entertainment, fire services, building etc.
'Unless with the prior approval of the manager, venues should not be used for purposes different from those described in the application and the nature, performers, sponsors of programmes should not be changed.
The manager is entitled to put in additional conditions in the terms and conditions of hire. During the course of the programme, the hirer and performers should not engage in activities that encourage the audience to leave their seats or behave in such a way as to disrupt order and endanger the safety of the audience.'
If a potential hirer fails to comply with the above terms and conditions, the relevant application will be rejected. In this case, how can we claim that we do not know the use or format of programmes or activities before we decide to hire out venues?
The Council considers other factors as well such as the track record of hirers, whether the activities are attractive to the audience, public participation, whether the venues are fully utilized so as not to waste the slots. Of course, such factors also affect financial income.
Page 459 of 498
Page 459 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
503
with the Council's stipulations and the laws of Hong Kong, it is a must and it is indisputable. I support the original motion by Ms. Ada WONG. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. WEN CHOY-BON (in Cantonese):-Concerning Ms. Ada WONG's motion 'RESOLVED that the Council reaffirm that it would not devise any pre- censorship system regarding the activities and programmes organized by hirers of any Council venue', I think the term pre-censorship is very ambiguous and too broad. Or shall I say that we do not know if it includes no need for the Council to find out the use of venues or the kind or format of programmes. If that is the case, how can we, as provider of venues, make arrangements to facilitate hirers on their use of the venues?
The amended motion moved by Mr. Pao is for the Council to reaffirm activities and programmes organized by hirers of any Council venue must comply with the terms and conditions of hire of the Council venue and the laws of Hong Kong. I think it is much clearer. I think we should require that a hirer complies with the terms and conditions of hire before permission is granted for the hire. If individual Members feel this is infringement on artistic freedom or creativity, or they call this pre-censorship, then I think they are just politicizing this discussion.
Let me take up some of your time by reading out some of the contents of the Council's terms and conditions of hire.
'Hirers must comply with the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, terms and conditions of hire, all notices issued to the hirers and other ordinances including those to do with public entertainment, fire services, building etc.
'Unless with the prior approval of the manager, venues should not be used for purposes different from those described in the application and the nature, performers, sponsors of programmes should not be changed.
The manager is entitled to put in additional conditions in the terms and conditions of hire. During the course of the programme, the hirer and Iperformers should not engage in activities that encourage the audience to leave their seats or behave in such a way as to disrupt order and endanger the safety of the audience.*
If a potential hirer fails to comply with the above terms and conditions, the trelevant application will be rejected. In this case, how can we claim that we do inot know the use or format of programmes or activities before we decide to thire out venues?
The Council considers other factors as well such as the track record of thirers, whether the activities are attractive to the audience, public participation, whether the venues are fully utilized so as not to waste the slots. Of course, such factors also affect financial income.
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