CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
N1110
Roy
Pl. PA.
N
CONFIDENTIAL
I see no
Slysation
18/10
our
bodood
TO PRIORITY FCO HUD 30141
TELNO 3635
ния
OF 28052UZ SEPTEMBER OCT 1987
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
257
.
Taken
MY TELNO 2690: FILM CENSORSHIP
Legal
what
W275
122341 MDLIAN 8220
poponed. Mew 30/9 As spoken, grateful for
any comments you may have.
N
30/9
WE HAVE HAD FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP. THE MAIN OBSTACLE REMAINS THE POWER TO CENSOR FILMS ON POLITICAL GROUNDS, BUT THE MARTIN LEE CAMP APPEARS TO BE INCREASINGLY I SOLATED.
2. AT OUR MEETING WITH THE GROUP ON 2 SEPTEMBER, WE EXPLORED A 'COMPROMISE' FORMULA AS FOLLOWS :
WHETHER THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD THAT THE EXHIBITION (OF THE FILM) WOULS SERIOUSLY (UNDERLINED) DAMAGE GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER
TERRITORIES''.
1
THIS WILL REPLACE THE 'S ERIOUSLY PREJUDICE GOOD RELATIONS ETC' FORMULATION IN THE EXISTING DRAFT BILL. THIS NEW WORDING IS AN ADAPTATION OF THE WORDING IN THE CURRENT CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1987 (DAMAGE GOOD RELATIONS) WITH THE ADDITIONAL WORD ''SERIOUSLY''
3. WE SEE NO PROBLEM EITHER FROM THE POLITICAL OR LEGAL POINT OF VIEW AND INTEND TO AMEND THE FINAL DRAFT (WHITE) BILL ACCORDINGLY. IN SO DOING, WE HOPE TO GAIN ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN LEGCO WHEN THE BILL IS FINALLY INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATURE, EXPECTED TO BE A ROUND END OF 1987.
4. WE AIM TO GO TO EXCO ON 20 OCTOBER TO SEEK APPROVAL TO PUBLISH A SECOND VERSION OF THE WHITE BILL, FOR FURTHER PUBLIC CONSULTATION LASTING ABOUT 4 WEEKS. THEREAFTER THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WILL TAKE ITS COURSE.
WILSON
Y YYY
1
PAGE CONFIDENTIAL