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the disposal of the experts and generally to assist Government
in any way that could be useful to enable them to write their
tender for a new licence. In the view of our Chief Engineer
the plan produced for the TV Working Party was based on theory without the backing of field tests which only our Company could have provided and willingly so. Further having now been given
the opportunity to examine the propagation plan, our engineer is
gravely concern about the high risk of interference.
Upon my return from my travels, I was informed
that draft legislation had nearly been completed which would
legislate against our representations and overrule our objections
thus taking the entire matter out of the realm of legality and
equity altogether.
In these circumstances, I felt bound to see The
Governor who is an old friend and for whom I have the warmest
regard. I myself could not think of a single valid reason for such action and for your convenience, I enclose a copy of my letter which I handed to MacLehose before we had our private
talk. Murray very kindly expressed great admiration for the
very responsible manner in which TVB had operated and for the
cooperation extended to his Government. But I gained the clear
impression that MacLehose felt bound by the views of his
'Advisers'.
On this basis, I did not think it useful to
continue to argue my case at great length especially as I realise that he had inherited the situation to a large degree.
I fully realise that whatever I say on these
These
matters would all too quickly be labelled as being "self-
interest", "delay tactics" and such absurd nonsense.
thoughts have obviously been well and truly planted in certain
quarters. The simple fact is that my Company's shareholders,