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heavily on the Governor. My view is that Lord Carrington should concentrate, in writing to him, on the technical and commercial advantages which the establishment of the station would have for Hong Kong. It is up to the BBC to say what these are. He might also explain the political background in terms of the government's relations with the BBC, and the strength of the External Services lobby in Parliament. Mr Clift will no doubt comment on Mr Burgess' suggestion that more could be made of the 'confidence' argument. But it is really for the Governor to say whether deploying it would be helpful with EXCO and his Finance Committee.
Refungwen
R JT McLaren
Far Eastern Department
3 September 1981
copied to: Mr Donald
Mr Cft, HKGD
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