TNAG-0350-FCO40-386-Future-of-broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 49

CONFIDENTIAL

therefore no legal bar to the enactment of the proposed Bill

by the Hong Kong Legislature although it could still be

challenged in the Courts after its enactment.

PARAGRAPH 6

The Working Party with the exception of the Financial

Secretary's representative reported unanimously that a

second television service (which would provide for both

English and Chinese wireless services) should be negotiated

with RTV(HK) and that a third service (Chinese only) should

be put out to public tender. The Governor in Council

overruled the Working Party's recommendation on this particular

point and decided that public tenders should be invited for

the second wireless television licence as well.

Hong

(These points, I suggest, should not be made to Rediffusion.)

4. We heard about Rediffusion's fears from Mr Warren, the

Managing Director of RTV (HK) who is now on leave, and I sent

a telegram to Hong Kong asking "how matters stood".

Kong telegram No 648 confirms Rediffusion's story up to a

point. The telegram does however make it clear that the

Hong Kong Government are now as anxious as RTV(HK) to avoid

further delay.

LINE TO TAKE

5.

Mr Royle will doubtless wish to listen sympathetically

to what Rediffusion have to say. They could be told that we

appreciate their concern and fully understand that in the

light of their equipment orders and financial position they

need to obtain a wireless television licence as soon as possible.

2.

CONFIDENTIAL

/The Governor