RESTRICTED
11. On communications, it was agreed that further consideration was needed of the question of whether there should be an active Communications centre in the Consulate General immediately on occupation or whether this should await the transfer of sovereignty.
12.
The committee agreed that, subject to the comments recorded, the paper on transition from the BTC should form the basis of the submission to MRS. [HKD Would pursue].
PRIVATE TREATY GRANT
13.
Mr Morris (HKD) explained the state of play on the Private Treaty Grant (PTG). The BTC had been negotiating over the PTG which was nearly ready for agreement. The sticking point was Special Condition 14, regulating compensation. As this was now drafted, HMG was being asked to accept markedly less compensation than we would enjoy by simply relying on the Vienna International Consular Convention. We were therefore seeking a redraft of SC 14. The BTC had just been asked to consult their local Legal Advisers on a redraft proposed by OED. Mr Hum asked that progress be kept under review. [ACTION: HKD with OED and BTC]
CONCLUSIONS
Mr Hum concluded that the committee formally endorsed the PSPS submitted by Farrell and agreed that Farrell now be instructed to proceed to prepare detailed drawings. Mr Hum noted that from this point on only minor details (eg partition type changes) could be made to the plans. Any further structural changes would delay the programme and cost additional money. He noted that the next step was for the committee to consider costings submitted by the Quantity Surveyor. These should be ready before the end of November. Once these had been circulated, the Steering Committee would meet again to approve them prior to submission to Ministers. [ACTION: HKD with OED]
mins.ftreconG.BTC
JEB
RESTRICTED