April 1993
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draft sent to Mr Witten
Mr B G Marr
R+
HM Treasury
Parliament Street
London SW1P 3AQ
INDE
нко 2406/12 HKD 6/2
23 APR 1993
HONG KONG: NEW CONSULATE GENERAL
1. We have now reached the stage where we require Treasury agreement to proceed with the construction of the new Consulate General in Hong Kong at a maximum total estimated
cost of £29M. We remain confident that the scheme represents
excellent value for money.
2. As you are aware, the background to this project is that
the Prime Minister and FCO Ministers are committed to the
construction of a substantial building in Hong Kong to house
Britain's official representation after sovereignty reverts to
China in 1997. Ministers have concluded that Britain should
collocate its official representation in such a building. The
building, which we plan should be ready for occupation by July
1996, would house the various Consulate General functions
including immigration and passport functions (these are at
present the responsibility of the Hong Kong Government) commercial, information and chancery functions (The Joint Liaison Group will be housed there until that body ceases to
function in 2000) and the British Council.
3.
The route taken to reach this conclusion started with
consideration of various options including joint (or developer) ventures with Hong Kong development companies;
cons.gen21Apr.NAT
JEB
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