LAST PAPER
1EU-E
British Trade Commission Hong Kong
John Morris Esq
HK Dept
FCO
Der John.
17 December 1992
HKD 406/1
REC
14 JAN 1993
TRY!
INUE
HOUSE FOR FUTURE CONSUL-GENERAL, HONG KONG
just 1411- Thurs Bonus Jones,
To par
Misli
1. We agreed that I should take a fresh look at this question. I have done so and reached the same dead end as others.
2.
My MO and I studied the three options suggested by the Hong Kong Government. One was immediately ruled out as being inacessible by almost anything other than a mule. Two were of interest but access on Middle Gap Road is difficult : (Mr Purves lives across the road and ferries guests to anything other than small dinners by coach): there is no parking for guests and space is substantially below standards.
3. Two final nails were hammered into that coffin when I called on Mr Ng recently. He made it clear that
4.
(a) in his view it was inconceivable that the Government would offer a top-grade house;
(b) these offered were the best available. was made on the understanding that -
(c)
(i)
The offer
full market price woud be paid by HMG; and (ii) the chosen one would be made available in 1997 (possibly a little earlier if it fell vacant);
the local political situation had become more difficult than when the offer was made. LegCo would be more hostile and the media solidly opposed to any deal with Britain that looked underhand or beneficial to us.
.
He could only suggest we tried to do a deal with the Chinese on a military house: of course, there was no chance of that in the present climate. As you know, Sir Robin McLaren and Mr Galsworthy have advised strongly against that course.
(22.4