ENG-1957 — Page 339

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

survey carried out jointly by the B.B.C. and Radio Hong Kong in December, the work of the survey being done by the University of Hong Kong. A sample of 1,000 listeners was taken and 50 students of the University spent two weeks in visiting these listeners and filling out questionnaires. The survey should provide an assessment of the popularity of both English and Chinese programmes of Radio Hong Kong, and of the B.B.C.'s Chinese and English programmes for listeners in the Far East and the General Overseas Service. It should also provide useful information audiences listening to stations other than Radio Hong Kong and the B.B.C., and on general listening habits and con- ditions in the Colony.

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Training'. Staff training during the year included a series of lectures and demonstrations to both programme and tech- nical staff. Programme producers were introduced to the elements of sound engineering, and technical staff gained an insight into some of the problems of the programme assistants. In addition to the training of staff, week-end train- ing in drama production was given by the English senior programme assistant to members of the Stage Club and Garrison Players.

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Overseas Relations. Relations with the B.B.C. and other overseas broadcasting organizations __remained excellent. Transcription programmes maintained a high standard, and the corporation also met several special requests for material not in the usual transcription service output. In addition, a large number of scripts were provided on request, the majority being for the weekly Chinese programme 'Life in Britain'. In April the B.B.C.'s New York office provided a programme on the Hong Kong stand at the New York Trade Fair. Two members of the staff attended B.B.C. training courses in London during the year.

The Controller of Broadcasting made several contributions to Radio Newsreel. Programme material was also provided for the B.B.C. Christmas Day Commonwealth programme,