TNAG-1815-FCO40-2576-Hong-Kong-Public-Order-(Amendment)-Bill-1988-1988 — Page 60

RESTRICTED

014043 MDHIAN37

''THE MEDIA HAS CONTINUED TO REPORT FREELY, HAS REMAINED FORTHRIGHT, AND HONG KONG HAS CONTINUED TO ENJOY ONE OF THE FREEST PRESSES IN THE WORLD. THE ARGUMENTS ADVANCED IN 1986 IN SUPPORT OF THE PROMULG- ATION OF SECTION 27 REMAIN VALID.

''HOWEVER DESPITE THIS BACKGROUND, A DIFFERENT PUBLIC PERCEPTION HAS ARISEN IN THAT THE LAW WAS SEEN AS A MEANS TO RESTRICT THE PRESS. THIS WAS NEVER THE INTENTION,'' THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE TOOK THE VIEW THAT RETENTION OF SECTION 27 WOULD BE LIKELY TO CAUSE CONCERN TO THE PUBLIC OUT OF PROPORTION TO THE VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY OF KEEPING THE PROVISION.

OVERSEAS, THERE HAD ALSO BEEN SOME MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE POSITION.

''IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THESE FACTORS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE TIME WAS RIGHT TO SEEK THE REPEAL OF SECTION 27 OF THE ORDINANCE AS A LOGICAL FINAL STEP OF THE PROCESS OF LIBERALISING CONTROL OVER PUBLICATIONS, STARTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TWO YEARS AGO'', HE SAID.

ENDS

2. GRATEFUL FOR ANY COMMENTS DESKBY 300030Z AND FROM PEKING DESKBY 3004OOZ

WILSON

YYYY

DISTRIBUTION

52

ΜΑΙΝ

49

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT .(RESTRICTED)

LIMITED

HKD

HD/FED

RESEARCH (FE)

PUSD

PS/LORD GLENARTHUR PS/MR EGGAR

PS/PUS

MR GILLMORE MR MCLAREN

2

PAGE RESTRICTED

Page 60Page 61

ADDITIONAL

3

MR EDWARDS LEGAL ADVISERS MR WHOMERSLEY LEGAL ADVISERS

NNNN