CATANW
Printy Scentery 18/31
SP CONFIDENTIAL
D3011
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
IN
Mu
You Renton agrody
اتی در روستا
with these recommendations;
convinders this HM Layden
FROM:
A Mong stor in
teacup
Hong Kong Department 2
24 MAR 1987
REGISTRY
Action Taken
DATE:
17 March 1987
CC:
Mr Gillmore
PM Renton
Sendan
Statio
Private Secretary
Secretary
(you
saw a
copy of this
bestondays)
Mr Masefield, FED
PS/M, Raton
Mr Meyer, News Department
Mr Fifoot, begal Advisers
HONG KONG: PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE
Problem
10 PM 1987
18 MAR 1987
12
gr
6 5
18/3
A,B
1.
The Commonwealth Press Union have asked the Secretary of State and Sir D Wilson to review the Hong Kong Ordinance passed in Legco which relates to the publication of false news: and the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) has proposed to send a representative to
explain its case to the Secretary of State. How should the
Secretary of State respond?
Recommendation
C
D
2. I recommend that the Secretary of State should reply to the
Commonwealth Press Union on the lines of the attached draft: and
that Mr Renton should agree to see an FCC representative if they send one.
3. In view of the Private Secretary's minute asking for a brief note on the present position, I am also sending a side copy of this minute to the Private Secretary today.
Background
4. The Control of Publications Consolidation Ordinance (Chapter 268
of the Laws of Hong Kong) was enacted in 1951 to provide the Hong Kong Government with wide powers to suppress seditious publications.
These powers have been used only three times (in 1967): Hong Kong regard the legislation as out of date and have been contemplating
CONFIDENTIAL