TNAG-1077-FCO40-1327-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-BBC-relay-station-1981 — Page 63

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No-praunts

Mr D Clift

HKGD

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HICK 306/1

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RECEVED WY FO.51

15 JUL 1981

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Mr. M. Quad M. Williams M5.7

pl. consider, discuss w/ PKD

Lord N Gordon Lennox

Mr RJT McLaren FED

Mr Castle-Smith CED Mr Flower PUSD

PROPOSED BBC RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG

1.

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The question of a contribution from the Hong Kong Government towards this project had a general airing at Mr Ridley's 22 June talks with Sir M MacLehose, the record of which has been circulated. You have also seen the record of Mr Ridley's discussion with the BBC on 23 June. The assumption was that, while some assistance from Hong Kong towards the land costs might be appropriate because of possible benefits which might accrue to the Colony from the new station, HMG would pick up the bill for construction.

2. We now need to follow this up with a letter from the Secretary of State to Sir M MacLehose confirming FCO interest in the project, setting out the advantages for Hong Kong as we see them, and asking the Governor to approach the Executive Council with a view to exploring what, if any, assistance the BBC might expect from the Hong Kong Government towards the cost of the project. Although technical discussions are still in progress about the precise choice of a site, it would be helpful if you and FED could begin to consider how best we might present our case to the Hong Kong Government for the land to be made available at a special or nil premium.

3. For their part, the BBC will let us know in due course what benefits for Hong Kong's domestic broadcasting services might accrue if the relay station is built (eg. better reception of relayed World Service programmes etc). We ourselves need to consider the possible political advantages in terms of relations between Hong Kong and China. In the past, there have been favourable, albeit informal, comments from Chinese officials on the BBC External Services. There is also the argument that an investment of some £7m would be a British vote of confidence in Hong Kong.

4.

I should be grateful for any ideas you may have for beefing up the case, encapsulated preferably in an agreed HKGD/FED passage for inclusion in a draft letter, which this Department would co-ordinate, from the Secretary of State to the Governor.

KG Maches.

K G MacInnes Inf Dept

233 4337

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6 July 1981

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