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Debate rages on forming select committee focusing solely on the controversial bill

The Legislative Council finished its second reading of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014 and headed into the next step - a discussion of a motion on setting up a select committee dedicated to the bill.

Such an arrangement would allow LegCo to discuss other agendas, but may slow down discussions on the bill. If blocked, the legislature may have to hear a new wave of endless speeches before voting, as "pan-democrats" are standing firm on making further amendments.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So Kam-leung voiced his opposition to launching such a new body. This is because lawmakers would have to spend a lot of time laying down the ground rules before discussions could start.

Instead, he expressed his determination to get the bill passed in the coming full-member meeting.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the government had "no plans" to shelve the bill. She also dismissed speculation about the possibility of the government making concessions on the controversial bill.

Lam reiterated the government was still confident about getting the bill passed in LegCo.

Her comments were slightly different from those in a previous interview she gave with local Chinese newspapers published on Thursday. Then, she said the government "does not rule out shelving the copyright bill", noting that 18 other bills are waiting to be tabled before LegCo's current term ends in September.

Lam explained she made the remarks because the government "could not rule out anything" and was not operating in a normal environment.

Strange things were now happening in LegCo, Lam added. She said the tactics of calling a quorum were wasting a lot of time.

"So, in this sort of abnormal situation, it is not for me to say that something definitely would or would not happen," she said.

The lawmaker representing the publishing sector, Ma Fung-kwok, said the matter should not be allowed to drag on any further. A decision should be made now, he said.

Ma said it would be a disaster for the industry if the bill could not be passed as piracy activities would continue.

Veteran commentator and Professor at the Research Center of Hong Kong and Macao Basic Law at Shenzhen University Song Sio-chong expressed concern that the "pan-democrats" were still using delaying tactics. This was in the hope of making the bill a political issue in order to influence voters in the LegCo election in September, he said.

However, Song also argued that the government had not explained the bill adequately to the public.

luisliu@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 01/22/2016 page10)