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6.
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known and therefore the otherwise simple Parliamentary
action involved could well be contentious. The Board of
Trade would be responsible for piloting the Order-in-
Council through Parliament.
(b) to approve the implementing Hong Kong Bill
including the contentious Clause 4(2) and to authorise
its introduction into the Hong Kong Legislative Council
to test public opinion and the reaction of the two
companies.
The Order-in-Council is subject to annulment in pursuance
of a resolution of either House of Parliament and here is every
likelihood that those who oppose the Hong Kong Government's
plan (there is a strong Rediffusion lobby in this country who
have already been in touch with us) will organise a prayer
against it. It is difficult to forecast the result. The
Order-in-Council might be held up or might be defeated.
7. In these circumstances, and because of the long delay which
has already occurred, we suggested recently to the Governor
that he should either seek again a direct settlement between
RTV and TVB which might make the contentious Clause unnecessary,
or introduce the legislation less the contentious Clause 4(2),
that at least the bulk of the copyright problems would be
resolved. His reply was that the first course would be useless
and he opposed the second. He asked that we should approve
his proposals in the form in which they have been submitted.
8. Our Legal Advisers are of the view that although the conten-
tious Clause 4(2) is not included in United Kingdom legislation
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/there is