TNAG-1555-FCO40-2119-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 349

Sir,

Reply by the Chief Secretary

to a speech by the Hon Dr Ho Kam-fai in the Legislative Council on 19 March 1986

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

- 3 APR 1986

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

DESK OFFICER INDEX

PA Broadcasting

Dr Ho Kam-fai has described how he and 24 other

members of this Council formed an ad-hoc group of

Unofficial Members to study the Report of the Broadcasting

Review Board. The ad-hoc group has held many meetings and interviewed all those who are principally concerned with

this subject of such vital concern to our community. Before I say anything else I should like to record the

thanks which we, as

a community, Owe them for the

thoroughness of their deliberations. Their observations

and the recommendations which are reflected in the

speeches of Members today are an invaluable contribution and distillation of the public debate which has taken place since the Report was published.

But, just as we Owe the ad-hoc group Our gratitude so, too, I should like also to place on public record our thanks to the Honourable Mr Justice Power and

the members of the Review Board for their awareness of the

heavy responsibility placed upon them and for providing us with such a comprehensive and thought-provoking document.

Clearly, it would be inappropriate and, indeed,

discourteous

to attempt to provide immediate

answers

to

the questions and recommendations put forward by Members this afternoon. However, the eight principles which have the unanimous support of the twenty-five members of the group and which have been spelt out by Dr Ho constitute an important summary of the main themes which have emerged from this period of public consultation.