CO537-5142 — Page 366

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Secretariat File

No: 7/1096/47 T.C.

No:

H:

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG

SECRET

H. B. M. Ambassador,

Nanking. (No. 2.)

Th

16 January,

January, 1948.

25

Sir,

I have the honour to invite reference to Sir Mark 6/

96834/15Young's secret telegram No. 516 of 5th July, 1946, on the subject

No dief vee'd

£78,175

+3,125

of broadcast policy and equipment, and to inform you that I am

satisfied that the Colony çannot undertake the expense of tropical

band broadcasting into South China at the present time.

2.

This conclusion has been reached after consideration

of the high cost of the installation and maintenance of tropical

band broadcasting equipment. It is estimated that the cost of

installing suitable transmitting equipment would amount to

HK$1,250,000 and that the annual cost of maintenance of this equip-

ment would be HK$50,000. Nevertheless, in view of the general

desirability of the extension of British broadcasting into South

China on the tropical band, it is possible that the project may

commend itself to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom;

and, if His Majesty's Government are sufficiently, interested to

embark upon this project, the Colony would be willing to consider

contributing towards the expenses involved. In order to maintain the

possibility of future consideration, arrangements have been made with

the appropriate authorities for the reservation of suitable frequencies

on the tropical band.

3.

I should be grateful to receive your comments on these

suggestions in due course.

RECEIVED in 1.116. 28/1.

23 JAN 1748

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

C. O. REGY

A. CREECH JONES, M. P.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

GOVERNOR.

04

18

FI