CONFIDENTIAL
HKD 2406/1
CONSUL-GENERAL ́S RESIDENCE: RECORD OF MEETING HELD ON
12 JUNE
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1.
Mr Hum held a meeting to discuss this subject with
Mr Bertram (OED), Mr Cox, Mr Morris and Mr Woodrow (HKD).
He
2. Mr Bertram began by giving a general background.
said that the present Senior British Trade Commissioner, Mr
Day, was accommodated in an apartment in one of the most
exclusive buildings in Hong Kong, owned by Swire Properties. The apartment had been taken on in 1989 with the intention
of keeping it until a suitable residence was found for the
future Consul-General. The apartment was in good condition
and well located, but Mr Day had taken a strong dislike to it, particularly its interior decoration.
3.
At the end of last year the Hong Kong Government
produced a list of 3 houses which could be suitable as the
future Consul-General's residence. OED had considered the
properties but found none suitable as they did not provide adequate representation accommodation. Lord Caithness had
then floated the idea of the Hong Kong Government giving us
Victoria House, currently the residence of the Chief
Secretary. This had been turned down by the Governor who
had suggested instead Headquarters House, residence of the
Commander British Forces. Mr Galsworthy had opposed this
idea because the building was part of the Military Estate and would therefore be wanted by the Chinese military after
1997. Mr Hum agreed with this view and said that he was not
in favour of pursuing Headquarters House. Up to now no
other suitable property had been identified. But Mr Bertram
felt that there was no desperate hurry, and the Albany
apartment could be used as a fall-back if necessary. Mr Hum
said that we should have another look at what was available
in Hong Kong. Mr Day might have different views from those
held by his predecessor. However Mr Day should first be
given a couple of months to settle down before we asked him
JH4ABF/1
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