CONFIDENTIAL
'C'
BBC FAR EAST RELAY
1. The BBC are looking for alternative sites for their Far
East Relay Station in view of the impending closure of the BBC
Station at Tebrau in West Malaysia. The Singapore Government
are understood to be sympathetic to the BBC's needs and it is
hoped that they will be able to come up with a site. However,
it is anticipated that a site in Singapore is unlikely to be
large enough to replace Tebrau entirely. The BBC are therefore
seeking other sites for a supplementary relay station to top-up
the Singapore relay. They are looking at the possibility of a
site in Hong Kong.
2. The Hong Kong Government and Sir John Addis have been
consulted about the possible political problems vis-a-vis China.
Sir John Addis's assessment is that the Chinese might well not
make difficulties in the present political climate, particularly
if the reasons for, and scope of, the relay station were
explained well before there was any publicity. The Hong Kong
Government have some reservations about the likely Chinese
reaction should the political climate change, and are also
slightly concerned at the land requirements aspect. Sir Hugh
Norman Walker has suggested that the Governor should be consulted
when he is in the office and IAD will be discussing this with him.
Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department
7 September 1973
CONFIDENTIAL