TNAG-0350-FCO40-386-Future-of-broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 45

CONFIDENTIAL

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award to RTV of a licence by private treaty as

recommended by the Working Party would have

by

been/far the best solution, he had to accept

that the decision to call for tenders could not

now be reversed. Although RTV were in a strong

position to tender successfully, the delay involved

would cost them at least £100,000, and much more

if it was protracted. He understood that there

was now a proposal to set-up an independent

transmitting agency, He thought this was not

necessary and would lead to yet further delays.

TVB were, not unexpectedly, making difficulties

over site-sharing, for their own commercial

advantage.

He understood however that TVB only

the Hong Kong Government

held the site on a five year lease which would

expire when their Wireless Television Monopoly

ran out in November;

then had power to give six months' notice of

intention to vary the use of the site. If TVB

were then instructed to use the site on a basis

of shared facilities with RTV, he thought that the

two companies could work satisfactorily together.

Despite their commercial rivalry, day to day

working relations were not too bad. He was

surprised that the Director of Information Services who in

did not appear to be a ware of the terms of TVR's

lease. He also thought it unfortunate that the

Controller of Telecommunications had gone on

five months' leave without a replacement;

this

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over here on

le fauve,

was likely to cause further delays.

(8430) Dd,033246 600m 9/66 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.963

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