30.
Ministers should be aware that both
RTV and TVB are likely to contest this
issue with all the resources that they
can command. Both companies can rely
on finding support in Parliament (e.g.
when the Order in Council is laid).
RTV has already challenged the validity
of the proposed legislation in the
courts (see paragraph 14). Apart from
the financial loss that RTV may suffer,
that company no doubt sees the provision
as a most dangerous precedent that could
affect its operations in other countries
if adopted elsewhere.
31. RTV is a subsidiary company of
"
Rediffusion Limited, of which the
Chairman is Mr. J.S.Wills (who is also
Chairman of the British Electric
Traction Company and other companies)
and the Deputy Chairman is Lord Tangley.
The Company's directorship includes the
Earl of Swinton and Lord Wakefield of
Kendal. Mr. W.T. Wells, QC., MP.,
appeared for the Company in the proceedings
referred to in paragraph 14.
32. TVB is a locally controlled Hong
Kong company, the equity in which is
held by a number of different companies
in Hong Kong, America (Time/Life and the
National Broadcasting Company of America)
and in the United Kingdom (Thames
Television Company, Anglia Television
Company). Lord Shawcross wrote to the
Secretary of State last July in support
of TVB's case and it is possible that he
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