CINEMA operators who allow people under 18 in to see category III films will soon be liable to fines of up to $50,000 - five times more than previous measures.
Legislative Councillors from the Film Censorship (Amendment) Bill committee had previously agreed that the proposal to raise the penalty be deferred until a suggested review of similar legislation on category III videotapes.
The Crown Prosecutor had said an immediate increase from the present $10,000 fine, fixed in 1988, was necessary as a stronger deterrent.
There had been no drop in breaches and prosecutions and the number of category III films was increasing, he said.
Although there were only about 10 prosecutions in the past four years, prosecutions were not made until an offender had been warned more than once.
Some committee members, including the Liberal Party's Mrs Selina Chow LiangShuk-yee, yesterday still supported deferring the increase until a review was completed.
But Deputy Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mrs Rachel Cartland, said it might take two years to draft and pass the amendment, given the back-up of legislation waiting for drafting.
