NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Dd.033009 Gp,863
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(26) σ HW 16/6
768
D
CONFIDENTIAL
5 August, 1968) that we should go ahead with
the making of the necessary Order in Council,
extending the Act to Hong Kong whilst you
proceed with the enactment of your draft
Copyright Bill, omitting the contentious
clause 4. The latter matter could, if neces-
sary, then be dealt with by subsequent amend-
ment once a decision had been taken on the
issue between the two companies.
I appreciate,
that you were not keen on this idea when it
was first mentioned, but in the circumstances
perhaps you would be willing to give it another
look and let us have your views.
Lear
7. It will, I know, be extremely tiresome
for you, after such a long period of gestation
here, to receive another answer which is not
a full answer. I feet, however, that a new
Minister (of whatever party) might well feel
anxious reading the files that, whatever the
strict legal interpretations to be put on the
various issues, there seemed to have been
something of a vendetta mounted against RTV
(and I must admit that much of the wording on
our files supports this) and that he would not
wish to have to defend the case before Parlia-
ment. If by adopting the line proposed in
this letter we can reduce the area of contenti-
tion I hope that you will agree that we should
do so.
Failing that, I think that we shakl
have to reiterate to Ministers the general
line taken in Commonwealth Office Saving
479
5 August
1960
Despatch No. 709 of 19 Decemben, 1968, which
will mean that they must be prepared to face ⇓
the music in Parliament.
"Mr 1%.
CONFIDENTIAL