TNAG-1077-FCO40-1327-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-BBC-relay-station-1981 — Page 132

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bus Clift. Plean ace some lined parts

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RECORD OF MR RIDLEY'S MEETING RELIH BBC EXTERNAL5] BROADCASTING 27 JANUARY 1981

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presque unless it was related to broadcasting,

sugare

PRESENT

Jvilians

3.2

The Rt Hon Nicholas Ridley MP

Mr. Williamson Mr K D Temple

I agree. The

importint thing is to

Ensme Theat

Inf. Depr

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13/2

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see

(1) +

Private Secretary

Lord N Gordon Lennox, AUSS

Mr KG MacInnes

Head of Information Department

Mr JD Perris

Finance Department

Mr R Castle-Smith, CED

Mr T J Allison Information Department

1.

Cha

- 5 FEB 1981

BESK OFFICER INDEX

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Action Tuke

js £5.20 Pro 512

Mp D Muggeridga

Managing Director External Services BBC

Mr C Bell

Controller (Admin) BBC

Mr R Gregson

Controller (Overseas Services) BBC

Mr C Dennay, Chief Engineer BBC

Mr M Diamond

Chief Accountant BBC

Mr Ridley welcomed Mr Muggeridge on his first attendance at the series of meetings between the FCO and the BBC. He stressed that he was anxious to be able to authorise capital expenditure for as long as possible ahead to facilitate the BBC's long-term planning. He was pleased that a table of current and capital expenditure up to 1983/84 had now been agreed arithmetically even if the policies which it predicated remained to be resolved. It would now be necessary to add a column for 1984/85 and it was not clear to what extent the consultant's report on the modernisation of Bush House might affect the figures. He noted that the present figures did not include the proposed relay stations in Hong Kong and the Seychelles, but as we would be looking for big money in three years time there was no room for expensive extras. On the assumption that the BBC agreed the table he would approach the Treasury and his Ministerial colleagues to seek approval to make up the estimated shortfall in 1983/84 continuing into 1984/85. Mr Diamond said that ideally the Seychelles and Hong Kong work should start in 1984/85. Mr Ridley asked how urgent these relay stations were. Mr Gregson said that it was up to the Government to set the priorities. The Hong Kong station would broadcast to north-east China and the Seychelles station from the Horn to South Africa; if their broadcasts were to be effective within the next 8 years there was need to start construction in 1984/85. Mr Muggeridge said that it had been hoped that some support might be forthcoming from the Hong Kong Government but the latter had indicated that they were not prepared to give either money or land: The BBC were particular- ly looking for an offer of a free site and the one which they favour is already being generally improved with access roads etc. The Prime Minister had expressed interest in this relay station and he asked if there was any chance of the British Government influencing the Hong Kong Government to change its

/position

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