TNAG-0265-FCO40-301-Legislation-for-copyright-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 33

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6.

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known and therefore the otherwise simple Parliamentary

action involved could well be contentious. The Board of

Trade would be responsible for piloting the Order-in-

Council through Parliament.

(b) to approve the implementing Hong Kong Bill

including the contentious Clause 4(2) and to authorise

its introduction into the Hong Kong Legislative Council

to test public opinion and the reaction of the two

companies.

The Order-in-Council is subject to annulment in pursuance

of a resolution of either House of Parliament and here is every

likelihood that those who oppose the Hong Kong Government's

plan (there is a strong Rediffusion lobby in this country who

have already been in touch with us) will organise a prayer

against it. It is difficult to forecast the result. The

Order-in-Council might be held up or might be defeated.

7. In these circumstances, and because of the long delay which

has already occurred, we suggested recently to the Governor

that he should either seek again a direct settlement between

RTV and TVB which might make the contentious Clause unnecessary,

or introduce the legislation less the contentious Clause 4(2),

that at least the bulk of the copyright problems would be

resolved. His reply was that the first course would be useless

and he opposed the second. He asked that we should approve

his proposals in the form in which they have been submitted.

8. Our Legal Advisers are of the view that although the conten-

tious Clause 4(2) is not included in United Kingdom legislation

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/there is