CO537-5142 — Page 8

CIRCULAR

COLONIAL

96840/49

CONFIDENTIAL

ODD

THE CHURCH House,

GREAT SMITH STREET,

LONDON, S.W.1.

29th March, 1949.

SIR

Broadcasting in the Colonies

I have the honour to refer to my confidential circular despatch of 14th May, 1948, on broadcasting services in the Colonies and to inform you of several important recent developments in this field.

2. In paragraph 5 of my circular despatch under reference I felt bound at that time to discourage any expectation that financial assistance from non-territorial funds would be forthcoming, except possibly from the Colonial Development Corporation and then only subject to the limitation of assistance from the Corporation to remunerative undertakings. I am now glad to be able to inform you that the urgent need for a wide development of Colonial broadcasting has been recognised and the use for this purpose of United Kingdom funds approved in principle.

3. This financial assistance is intended primarily to help to meet the capital expenditure involved in any development of broadcasting services. Colonial Governments would be expected to contribute as much as possible from the beginning to such services, and in any event to meet within a specified and limited time the full recurring costs.

4. The aid is offered on the understanding that due regard will be paid to the use of the broadcasting services thus developed as instruments of social and educational advancement, and that every effective opportunity will be taken to counter attacks upon democracy by means of positive explanation and advocacy of its methods and achievements.

5. Certain territories, where the need for development in this field is thought to be especially pressing, have been ranged in the following order of priority:---

(1) Malaya (for listening facilities only).

(2) Cyprus.

(3) West Africa.

(4) East Africa.

(5) Central Africa.

(6) The Caribbean.

In order that plans may be made for these areas as soon as possible on a realistic basis, I have decided to allocate forthwith a sum not exceeding £1,000,000 from the General reserve of Colonial Development and Welfare funds made available under the Act of 1945. This seems likely to cover actual expenditure for at least the next two years.

6. The following measures for the development of broadcasting services in these areas are being taken. A technical,survey team has already started work in West Africa. A working party has been constituted in London to review the plans for a Caribbean Area Station which were drawn up three years ago; the views of the West Indian Governments will be sought when this enquiry has been completed. The other Governments concerned will shortly be invited-where this has not already been done-to consider the submission of specific develop-| ment schemes, according to a provisional apportionment of the funds likely to be available.

7. The priority given to these six regions or territories in the first instance is not intended to exclude others from benefit from the funds available, provided only that progress in the priority schemes is not prejudiced by the inclusion of additional beneficiaries. It may be that the present provisional conception of developments, or their scale or pace, may not be considered practicable by all the Governments concerned and some margin may consequently appear in central funds which could be applied to other new schemes. I hope therefore that no territory will hesitate to put forward any proposals for development in this field, designed to serve the purposes, and to conform with the broad conditions which I have outlined.

The Officer Administering

the Government of