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On a public broadcast service a major difficulty was its expense. Such a service would be likely to cost well over $100 million to establish, while a single channel on Cable's multi-channel system has a comparatively limited audience reach.
The spokesman emphasised that it was unlikely for Wharf Cable to make available any channel for Government use until the latter half of 1996 at the earliest as there is no spare capacity in its existing microwave multipoint distribution service spectrum.
"Thus, it is important that the Administration gives thorough and careful consideration to this matter before arriving at a view," the spokesman said.
End/Wednesday, February 23, 1995
Residential mortgage survey results for January 1995
The growth in residential mortgage loans for the purchase of properties in Hong Kong remained modest in January, according to a latest monthly survey conducted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).
The latest figures show that the total amount of outstanding mortgage lending by the 33 institutions in the survey grew slightly by 0.4% or $1.0 billion in January (0.6% in December) to $238.1 billion. The growth rate is below the monthly average of 0.96% over the last 12 months.
"While the January figures may have been affected by seasonal factors, they reflect the current subdued condition of the property market," the Deputy Chief Executive (Banking) of HKMA, Mr David Carse, said.
The annualised rate of growth in lending over the last three months was 7.6%, compared with 6.8% in the three-month period to December. The 12-month average of outstanding loans dropped to an annualised growth rate of 11.5% from 12.4% in December.
The amount of new loans approved but not yet drawn decreased by 10.9% or $0.3 billion to $2.7 billion in January.
"These figures suggest that the growth of outstanding loans will continue to slow in February," Mr Carse said.
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