CONFIDENTIAL
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HONG KONG • CONSULATE GENERAL: MEETING WITH SENIOR TRADE COMMISSIONER, 17 JULY 1992
Present: Mr Hum Mr Day, SBTC
Mr Ricketts, HKD Mr Bertram, OED
Mr Morris, HKD Mr Pugh, British Council
Morning session
1.
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Mr Day explained the background to his disquiet about the recommended design for the new Consulate General. He noted that, given the state of the files in the BTC, he had been unable to trace adequately the process by which we had arrived at the agreed Schedule of Requirement and Design Briefs. He had been concerned that views of future users of the building had not sufficiently been taken into account.
2. Mr Ricketts outlined the genesis of the Schedule of Requirements up to its incorporation in the architects' Design Brief. Mr Bertram explained the history of the project: the decision of the then Prime Minister in 1988 for a prestige building; HKG's free land grant limited to a total building size of 19,000 sq metres; the incorporation of 9 flats into the design; the availability of PES funds of some £20m not differentiated between FCO and British Council; and the process of the architectural design competion culminating in the conclusion of the Steering Committee that Farrell's design had the most potential.
3.
In discussion of Farrell's proposals it was agreed that some aspects needed further refinement. In particular the Commercial Exhibition Space would be better located where Farrell had placed the offices of the British Chamber of Commerce. The result would be an attractive and flexible facility within the Commercial Section, offering more than twice the floor area currently available in the BTC. On the multi-purpose hall, it was noted that this was intended primarily for the British Council. Mr Day personally saw no value to the future Consulate General in the multi-purpose hall, but accepted that this was a matter for the Council. Mr Pugh confirmed that the Council remained keen to have such a facility, and were content to carry the running costs.
4.
It was agreed that the Consulate General and Council would have separate but coordinated Management Sections. It would be for the Consul-General to decide at the time which MO would take the lead in dealing with the Hong Kong authorities and in coordinating building - wide activities such as fire drills. This issue need not determine the design of the new building beyond the basic requirement that communciation between the two wings as proposed by Farrell was inadequate, and should be improved.
bcg.meet.JM
CONFIDENTIAL