TNAG-0350-FCO40-386-Future-of-broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 66

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CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 1504202

CONFIDENT FAL

CONFIDENTIAL

CED IN REGISTRY No.51

17 JUL 1972

29

TOP COPY

ENKK 13/9

TO ROUTINE F C O TELHO 648 OF 15TH JULY, 1972, INFO ROUTINE

HONGKONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON,

FOR LAIRD.

LABT

ROS

(26)

YOUR TELEGRAM 576; WIRELESS TELEVISION LICENCES,

NEXT

34)

REF.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE FUTURE OF BROADCAST –

ING WERE CONSIDERED SY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THREE OCCASIONS,

THE FOLLOWING MEMORANDA AND DECISIONS REFER:

(A) XCC (72) 14

DECISION OF 22.2.72:

(B) XCC (72) 24

DECISION OF 28.3.72:

(C) XCC (72) 22

2.

DECISION OF 11.4.72.

ATTACHED TO MEMORANDUM XCC (72) 28 WAS A TENTATIVE TINE- TABLE FOR THE GRANT OF NEW WIRELESS TELEVISION LICENCES. IT ENVISAGED A TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL BEING ENACTED IN OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER, TENDERS THEN BEING CALLED ON 1.12.72 AND NEW LICENCES

GRANTED ON 1.18.73.

3.

MOST OF THE DOCUMENTATION FOR BOTH THE BILL AND THE TENDERS

MAS NOW BEEN PREPARED AND DRAFT LEGISLATION AMENDING THE

TELEVISION ORDINANCE IS NEARLY COMPLETED,

4.

THE ORIGINAL INTENTION WAS THAT WIRELESS TELEVISION LICENCES SHOULD PROVIDE THEIR OWN TRANSMISSION FACILITIES, SHARING

SITES. IT IS NOW THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD REQUIRE A DEGREE OF

CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THEM WHICH COULD NOT REALISTICALLY BE EXPECTED: AND THAT T.V.B. (WHICH ALREADY USES THE SITES) WOULD BE

IN A POSITION TO FRUSTRATE THE NEW LICENSEES, CAUSING VERY

DIFFICULT PROBELMS, THE FEASIBILITY OF ARRANGING FOR SOME ORCANISATION (LIKE CABLE AND WIRELESS) TO UNDERTAKE TRANSMISSION

./ON BEHALF

CONFIDENTIAL