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not, we would try to persuade the Hong Kong Government to delay demolition until the petition has been fully considered). But I made it clear to them that this was not likely to be an issue on which we in London would consider it appropriate to overrule the Governor's advice.
(
6. I suggest that our line should be to accept the Hong Kong Government's decision, subject to three conditions:-
: (i)
(ii)
an undertaking that every effort will genuinely be made to preserve the clock tower;
{
an undertaking to submit the designs for the cultural complex to careful consideration of their architectural merit - it would certainly be a great shame to built an undistinguished building on such an outstanding site (possibly outside architectural opinion could be sought. on this);
(iii) an undertaking to reconsider the whole question of the
involvement of the Hong Kong public in planning decisions, so that it is not just left to pressure groups, often acting at far too late a stage, to ensure that the public voice is heard.
W.E. Chantill
WE Quantrill
Hong Kong & General -Dept
+
6 March 1978
C