**********************************************
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, on the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014 at a media session after attending a radio programme today (January 25):
Reporter: Would the Government definitely rule out withdrawing the bill? Is there any possibility of letting the LegCo discuss the Policy Address before the bill?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: We have no plan of withdrawing the bill. We do have sufficient time to have the bill through. But because of the filibuster, we will be meeting with the President of LegCo to see whether we can allot additional time for the debate of this bill.
Reporter: Mr So, you just said there is sufficient time for discussion in LegCo. Does that mean you're confident that we can get the bill passed before LegCo ...?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I think that question you'd better ask the pan-democratic LegCo members. It is them that is stopping the bill from going forward. According to normal process, we should have the bill passed by now. So because of the filibuster, because of their irresponsible conduct, this bill is now still in this stage. So I think the people of Hong Kong should ask them the question: Why do they want to stop the progress of our economy? Why do they insist on having a law that is seriously outdated? Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, January 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:22
NNNN
