No: 17/661/47
CONFIDENTIAL
No.192
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
12 November, 1949.
142.
(112)
Sir,
96834/15744
I have the honour to refer to your Confidential Savingram No.763 of 12th August, 1949, on the subject of accommodation for the Hong Kong Broadcasting Service, and to inform you that the new building has now progressed to a point where the architects require final details of the plans for the Broadcasting studios. The Postmaster General has accordingly approached Government for authority to proceed on the basis of these plans when approved.
2. As explained in paragraph 2 of my Savingram No.461, -(90)
in addition to paying a rental for the studios, it is proposed that Government should also meet additional constructional costs resulting from modifications in design to meet broadcasting requirements, and a capital expenditure of $150,000 was provided in the estimates under Head 31 Subhead 13 for this purpose. Since then, however, in order to conform to British Broadcasting Corporation standards, equipment for and accoustical treatment of the new studios will increase the cost to $285,000. This amount does not include the cost of air conditioning and special lighting, two essentials to the efficiency of the broadcasting staff, working in properly constructed and sound insulated studios, and to the comfort of concert hall audiences. These two items are estimated to cost $130,000 and $15,000 respectively. To this should be added
a sum of $45,000 to meet the cost of furniture, making a total estimated cost of $475,000.
3.
In view of the heavy commitments due to increasing security measures in the Colony this additional expenditure is one which I feel the Colony is unable to bear, and, in order to improve the Hong Kong Broadcasting service by this change from improvised to properly planned and constructed studios, I should be grateful if you would be favourably inclined to consider a contribution from United Kingdom funds of a sum of $250,000 to meet the cost involved.
H. K. & PACIFIC 210 1949 REG STRY
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
льчишкой
GOVERNOR.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ARTHUR CREECH JONES, M.P.
INFORMATION
1048
REGISTRY