of a decision to collocate in the Consulate General, (their
present lease is up in 1996) Note: check, British Council they would be looking at relatively cheap facilities in the Wanchai area rather than facilities in expensive Central
(business district area where the Consulate General is situated). Any comparison in costs must be based on an assessment of costs in Wanchai or comparable district rather
than in Central.
If starting from scratch, the British Council would aim to maximise flexibility by outhousing a proportion of language teaching facilities. This would also allow the British Council to take advantage of student need and lower rents in particular areas. They could reasonably expect some facilities to be donated free of charge.
Note this last section is rather weak, because it is difficult to get away from the fact that the British Council will have double the space in the new building for non grant in aid work than available to them now ie if they looked for the same amount of space even at Wanchai prices it would cost them a lot more than they are now paying. Grateful if OED and British Council could consider what else might be said and
provide drafting.
Note: up front, or defensive, copy addressees please advise) - A decision by the British Council to pull out would clearly
frustrate Ministers' wishes. It would almost certainly mean
that there would not be a Consulate General facility up and
running by 1 July 1997; a wholly unacceptable outcome.
Hope that you can agree that the arrangements I have outlined are a sensible way to resolve the question of the
terms for British Council accommodation in the Consulate
General building.
treasury.CONGEN.dbj