TNAG-1077-FCO40-1327-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-BBC-relay-station-1981 — Page 113

CODE 18-77

Mr Clift

(HKGD

K 246)

Reference...

CONFIDEN 3061

ST

KIZINIO W DeKTRY NO. 51 - 4 JUN 1981

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

BBC RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG

PA

No Mas

10

REGISTRY

Rech to me

Action Takes

10010160

£5.6.

In para 1 of his minute to PUS

29 May Sir E. Youde said he had asked Departments to consider where else this relay station might be. located if not in Hong Kong, eg Brunei. We have consulted CED, who think that a station as far South as Brunei would be no better than the existing relay station at Singapore. The aim is to reach audiences in Northern China, Korea and Japan (in that order of need). Thus, from a purely geographical viewpoint, only territories belonging to Japan, the Philippines or Korea seem feasible. I should welcome Departments views on the political feasibility of these alternatives.

See 13

2. Finance. The position on finance is now a little clearer. The Cabinet OD Committee on 1 June approved the ideal capital programme in principle, but this was subject to the Secretary of State trying to obtain further economies from the BBC on the current expenditure side, eg vernacular language services.. Thus we have to surmount this latter hurdle before the proposed finance for building a new Far East relay station between 1985 and 1989 can be assured. Moreover, since this latter period is outside the current PESC period (up to 1984/85), the emphasis must be on the words "in principle" in the OD decision.

Kethaches.

K G MacInnes

Inf Dept G 3/3 233-4337

3 June 1981

Copies to:

Mr Burns, SEAD Mr McLaren, FED Mr Harris, CED

Mr. Williamos

This wants to he

mentioned in the

letter to Sir M. Mac/phoe / Sir P Gradsch

CONFIDENTIAL

দ