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RTV beve told by Coddrial Sect. bhat September
Mr.
examined by Government in accordance with the normal procedure applicable to recommendations made by any working party. This examination was completed in January this year. In view of the complexity of the subject matter I do not think that four months was too
The long a period to take over this examination. recommendations of the working party were then consi- dered at three meetings of Executive Council in February, March and early April this year and a statement was issued to the press on 18th April.
The press release stated that it was hoped to call for tenders towards the end of this year and this is the only official statement that has been made on the time-table. I must emphasize that even this time- table was clearly intended to be only tentative. A number of steps have to be taken to prepare for tenders, including the passing of the necessary legislation through Legislative Council, and the Government was in no position to commit itself to a firm date. I think this was made clear in our letter reference CR 8/1036/70 of 7th June 1972 in reply to the Managing Director of Rediffusion's letter of 30th May. In commenting, therefore, on paragraph 8 of Rediffusion's submission to Mr. Royle I must advise you that it has never been officially envisaged that Government would be in a position to invite tenders in September this year.
I feel I must take issue, therefore, with the allegation in paragraph 12 of Rediffusion's submission concerning delays in policy decision-making and the inability to meet target dates. When considering, as we are, the development of television over the next ten years or so it would be very dangerous indeed to sacrifice thoroughness for the sake of gaining a few months. A rushed job only too often leads to errors and consequently to situations which might be difficult to disentangle at a later date. I regret I am not in a position to give you a firm date by which we expect to be able to invite tenders but I can assure you that this subject has been given priority and is being dealt with as quickly as possible.
I would also like to comment on the reasons given in paragraph 8 of Rediffusion's submission for the purchase of additional equipment. If Rediffusion should tender for one of the new wireless television licences, its claims and those of other tenderers can only be determined by the Governor in Council after consideration of the recommendations made by a selection committee appointed by the Governor under section 8 of the Television Ordinance. You will doubtless recall that Rediffusion's Managing Director, having stressed in his letter of 22nd May 1972 that the investment was to be regarded purely as a business risk, expressed the hope that Government would not misunderstand Rediffusion's intentions. The Deputy Colonial Secretary in his reply reference CR 10/1036/54 II of 5th June 1972 confirmed that Rediffusion's action would not be misconstrued.
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