TNAG-1365-FCO40-1811-Hong-Kong-Legislative-Council-(Powers-and-Privileges)-Bill-1-1985 — Page 117

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In disposing of Gloves 20, there is fist all quoetion mark that

remmina in sind. First let me say that I ap absolutely convinced that in the case of a closed mesting, the publisher of reports of that proceeding of that meeting should not be open to prosecution,. This has been and is presently the cree, and gust not change. However, should the Council decide

to give an undertaking to a third party who comes · Torward to give evidenop that his mabetiseden as well as the proceeding of the meeting in which he is. asked to take part will be kept confidentiel,' there will be: ne legal nadrejena that the Council or its committee own make good ita grossies gegarting the publication of such evidence or proceeding, I hope this point will be given due consideration. Perhaps a leaf can be taken wit of the book of Section 5 of the Judicial Proceedings (Regulatims of Reports) Ordinance in which the Court is empowered te prohibit publication of certain proceedings and information relating to themy so long as the court takes an active däcision to do so, and states dieerly that much publication would cometikate contempt.

Subject to the acceptance of the proposed deletion of Class 17(d) and Clause 20 at the Committee ētage, sharaby I believe the present freedom of the wedia in its work on the Council will be preserved, I support the Bill.

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