TNAG-1077-FCO40-1327-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-BBC-relay-station-1981 — Page 62

Mr MacInnes

Information Department (G3/3)

CONFIDENTIAL

HIK 30611

ник

RECEIVED THE RESISTRY NO. 51

A JUL 1981

DESK OFFICER

REGISTRY

INDEX

PA

Action Take

No Mas

13 TTL pero 13/8

PROPOSED BBC RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG

1.

Mr Ford, the Hong Kong Commissioner, mentioned this to me today. He pointed out that the establishment of a relay station should mean that Hong Kong would be able to receive the complete World Service either by cable or by satellite, ie much more clearly than on the present short wave. In Mr Ford's view this should provide Hong Kong with all the material which they are at present receiving through the transcription service. This seemed to him a strong (indeed the only convincing) argument to use with Hong Kong when asking for help over the relay station.

2.

I do not know whether Mr Ford is correct in this but he is a former Secretary for Information and should know what he is talking about. If it is true, it seems a very good argument indeed. You may wish to check before Mr Scott calls on you on 10 July. I would be very grateful to have your views myself before then as Mr Scott is seeing me at 11 am.

8 July 1981

Дир

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

сс

Mr McQuade /Mr Williamson

CONFIDENTIAL

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