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most optimistic it would have a marginally beneficial effect on Sino-British relations. Sir M MacLehose commented that if the situation could be presented as being in support of some specially agreed programme arranged with the Chinese, that would help. There was one additional BBC point which they had not made before: Hong Kong would have the opportunity to get BBC programmes cheaper. This would be an argument to be used with the Executive and Legislative Councils.
6. Mr Ridley said that it should be possible to get an indication quite soon of HMG's general view on the project but it would not be a top priority and, if implemented, would be unlikely to get going until later in the decade.
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DISTRIBUTION:
HKGD (to enter) PS/Mr Ridley
Sir E Youde o/r
Mr Donald
Information Department
FED
Mr Flower, PUSD
Acting Governor, Hong Kong (Personal)
Mr D R Ford, Hong Kong Government Office, London (Personal)
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