TNAG-0350-FCO40-386-Future-of-broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 10

CONFIDENTIAL

機密

For discussion

on 10th October 1972

XCC(72)72

Copy No...29...

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1972

The purpose of the Television (Amendment) Bill 1972

(annexed), is to postpone the date on which the licence held by Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) is renewed.

2

Members will recall that on 28th March 1972, after considering memorandum XCC(72)24 which dealt with the Report of the Working Party on the Future of Broadcasting, they advised and the Governor ordered inter alia that the licence issued to TVB should be renewed subject to certain new terms and conditions as recommended by the Working Party. Earlier, on 22nd February 1972, after con- sidering memorandum XCC(72)14, Members advised and the Governor ordered that public tenders be invited simultaneously for a second wireless television licence which would provide for both English and Chinese services and a third wireless television licence which would provide for a Chinese service only.

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3

The conditions under which the new licences will be issued will be substantially different from those under which TVB's present licence was granted and several amendments to the Television Ordinance itself will also be necessary before the new licences are issued. It is the intention that TVB's licence should be renewed under the same conditions as those which will apply to the new licensees.

4

The drafting of the necessary amendments to the Television Ordinance, and the terms and conditions of the new licences, is nearly complete but it will not be possible for these amendments to be enacted before 19th November 1972, when TVB's current licence expires. It is therefore proposed that the date on which TVB's licence expires should be postponed from 19th November 1972 to such date after 19th November 1972 as may be appointed by the Governor in Council. The Television (Amendment) Bill 1972 has been drafted for this purpose.

5

Honourable Members will be asked to advise whether the Television (Amendment) Bill 1972, as annexed, should be introduced into the Legislative Council.

(The Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary (General) (Mr H. M.A. BRISTOW) and Senior Crown Counsel (Mr J. R. TOMS) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).

2nd October 1972

(CR L/M 292/72 in CR 8/1036/70)

COUNCIL CHAMBER

CONFIDENTIAL

機密