CONFIDENTIAL
that RTV have been shabbily treated, but
equally the matter should have been capable
of some solution on the ground between the
three parties concerned. It might even
now be resolved
a result of public
discussion and debate in the Legislative
Council.
10. There is undoubtedly a Rediffusion
Ltd. lobby in this country including Lord
Tangley, its Deputy Chairman, who will
oppose the Order in Council strongly.
We are under an obligation data back to
1968 to explain HMG's views to Rediffusion.
I recommend therefore that the best way to
proceed would be as follows:
(a) Invite the Chairman of Rediffusion listen to
Ltd. to call to
say.
what he has to
(b) In the light of this conversation
and our further assessment of the
likely strength of opposition to the
we shall house E secite whether Order in Council in Parliament sult
the Chief Whip about introducing this
possibly contentious legislation.
The decision to lay the Grour in
c) Provided (bis satisfactory
authorise the Governor to proceed as
he proposes (subject to certain drafting
changes in the Order in Council and the
Hong Kong Bill which we believe are
unlikely to cause difficulty), but
stressing that we attach importance to
the sounding out of public opinion at the
Legislative Council debate stage ar
to the reaction of the companies before
the official decision is made to introduce
legislation
ation]
to lay the roa
in Council.
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