Radio_Hong_Kong_1965-1966 — Page 20

number of the former using it to improve their knowledge of the English language.

STAFF

41. The English Service establishment consists of the Head of Programmes, seven producers and five announcers. However, three of the producer posts remained vacant during most of the year under review.

42. When the English Service has a full staff complement it is possible to divide up programme duties into certain broad categories i.e. features, outside broadcasts, sport, drama, serious music, light music, etc. However, the vacant posts resulted in a considerable amount of reshuffling of responsibilities as well as the curtailment of certain types of programmes. It is hoped that the staff reorganization previously referred to and improved conditions of service will enable the vacant posts to be filled and the scope of the programme output of the Service to be widened.

INFORMATION PROGRAMMES

43. World and local news bulletins are broadcast at 8 a.m. and 1.15 p.m. daily. Two bulletins in English from the BBC World Service are relayed during the evening and an Asian and Hong Kong news bulletin is broadcast at 7 p.m.

44. "Topics', the English Service news magazine programme, con- tinued to enjoy considerable popularity and was widely listened to throughout the year. It is broadcast immediately after the Asian and Hong Kong news bulletin and does much to supplement the information contained therein; the implications of local news stories are often followed up by interviews with the people concerned.

45. The opinions and stories of the many visitors to Hong Kong are also reflected in 'Topics'. Amongst those who broadcast during the year were parliamentarians-Dame Eirene WHITE, The Rt. Hon. Christopher MAYHEW and Mr. William BAXTER; Dame Isabel CRIPPS, the distin- guished sociologist and the educational expert Sir John (now Lord) FULTON; Tunku Abdul RAHMAN of Malaysia and Mr. Milton MBOTE of Uganda; entertainers-Max BYGRAVES and Dickie HENDERSON; musicians Claudio ARRAU and Rudolph FRIML; actors-Richard ATTENBOROUGH and Steve McQUEEN; actresses-Sheila SIMS and Nancy KWAN-to name only a few from a long list.

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