TNAG-1077-FCO40-1327-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-BBC-relay-station-1981 — Page 58

Sir E Youde

Hick 306/11

Ник

th

CARRY NO. 51

CONFIDENTIALUL 1981

DESK OFFICER INDEX

REGISTRY Action Taken

PA

1

Pas 24/7

11A

B(WP)

Cw

D

15A

E27

PROPOSED BBC RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG

1. You asked whether we had received Sir Philip Haddon-Cave's version of his discussions with Mr George Howard on this subject. We have not. Sir Philip is now in London. However, Sir Murray MacLehose's summary of his meeting with Mr Howard is in Hong Kong Telegram No 604 of 18 June. It seems that Mr Howard is still under an illusion about Hong Kong's willingness to support the project (his letter of 25 June), despite the fact that the Governor has written (his letter of 20 June) to clarify Hong Kong's position.

2. As far as HMG is concerned, Ministers have provisionally approved a new capital programme for the BBC allowing for the construction of a Far East Relay Station later in the decade. This however depends on cuts in other BBC expenditure. The FCO viewpoint was put to Mr Howard in the Secretary of State's letter of 8 July.

3. Information Department are now discussing with the BBC the possible benefit to Hong Kong of the relay station being built there. On that would depend how far Hong Kong might be prepared to help over the station, eg by offering land at a reduced or nil premium.

15 July 1981

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

сс

Mr MacInnes, Information Department

CONFIDENTIAL

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