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press freedom contained
in the LegCo (Powers
such
and Privileges) Bill which provoked widespread concern in Hong Kong last year).
(f)
The
powers
are
circumstances,
unnecessary
in
normal
and in an emergency would be
taken under emergency legislation.
7.
The arguments against repeal now are that:
(a)
The Chinese might object, since they might
wish
to
(b)
see these powers retained.
Some provisions in the Ordinance (eg covering registration of publications) would need to be
retained elsewhere.
(c)
Caution might indicate that the powers be
retained for safety's sake.
(d)
Repeal may stimulate further less manageable calls for liberalisation of legal controls press freedom.
on
8.
repeal
the
said for
On balance, I find the arguments in favour of
more persuasive.
There i s something to be letting this "sleeping dog lie".
that public that public opinion in Hong Kong is beginning to
But there
Kong legislation of this
possible new uses to which
are signs
focus upon redundant Hong
kind, out of concern for the
it might be put after 1997. A preemptive move by Hong Kong to repeal this legislation now is likely to reaffirm
extent public confidence in
conversely, Hong Kong Government failure
particularly if pressure for repeal grows,
spread concern that the legislation is
is not being repealed
to
some
the future:
to do So,
i s likely
to
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