CO537-5142 — Page 141

9683415/49

Saving.

m the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

From

To the Officer Administering the Government of..

Date 12 August, 1949.

No.

763

CONFIDENTIAL

Saving.

1949.

anid by

142.

HONG KONG

ميني

in

Your confidential savingram No. 461 of 11th June,

I appreciate your reasons for looking anxiously at the increased estimates of the cost of new studio accommodation for the Hong Kong Broadcasting Service. But I do not favour your suggestion that the solution to your difficulty in meeting these costs should be sought by inviting the commercial company, which already conducts the rediffusion service in Hong Kong, to assume a similar responsibility for the broadcasting servico.

2. I am aware that the Company, of which the Hong Kong Rediffusion Company is a subsidiary, has shown itself to be a responsible and efficient agency for the diffu- sion of entertainment programmes in the Colonies where any of its subsidiary organisations are operating. But it has, I believe, achieved nothing which has lessenad the validity of the opinions which I expressed on this subject in paragraph 3 of my Confidential Circular despatch of 14th May, 1948, on Broadcasting in the Colonies.

3. I am ost anxious that every effort should be ade to sustain and improve the broadcasting service. The change from improvised to properly planned and construc- ted premises may be expected to lead to a general

/i provement.