THE Government will not tackle the occult and will not be issuing public advice on media reports on fortune-telling and supernatural matters, said the Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr James So Yiu-cho.

Despite a chorus of appeals from legislators - including liberals Mr Tik Chi-yuen and Mr Frederick Fung Kin-kee and CRC member Mrs Peggy Lam Pei Yu-dja - the secretary remained unmoved.

Instead, Mr So said he would pass on a suggestion from Mrs Elsie Tu that a television announcement of public interest, similar to those about smoking, should be sent to the Government Information Services Department for consideration.

He said he hoped the media would act responsibly in view of public sensitivity to the issue.