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busy half of the cycle.
OED
The departments concerned had again looked carefully at this issue. OED had looked once more at the financial calculations. The figures spoke for themselves. had demonstrated that it would be cheaper to build the extra space than to have to rent it.
6.
Mr Wootton (RFD) confirmed that RFD agreed with the figures. In subsequent discussion, the Steering Committee were unanimous in considering that the present design made sense in policy terms and in terms of value for money. Mr Bennett (MRS) confirmed that the MRS saw no problem with the course proposed by the Steering Committee and noted that the MRS were now digesting comments received on the draft Report circulated in June. Mr Hum instructed HKD to prepare a submission to Mr Goodlad reflecting the recommendation of the Steering Committee.
7.
On how the passport issuing load might be managed in the busiest years of the cycle, Mr Sullivan (NTCD) noted that NTCD estimated that it might be possible to cope with the anticipated additional demand within the new building by a combination of management techniques (possibly including overtime and weekend/shift working). Ms Holder (Security Department) said that Security Department would need to discuss further with OED details which might affect some aspects of design. Mr Whittle (OED) confirmed that OED were aware of this and would continue to liaise with Security Department.
AGENDA ITEM 2
Authority to proceed with construction awaited from Treasury
8.
Mr Bertram (OED) reported that they awaited authority to proceed from the Treasury. They had written to the Treasury in the first instance on 7 June to request authority to proceed with the construction of the new Consulate-General. They had at that stage notified the Treasury that we were taking a further look, as a result of the interim findings of the MRS, at the requirements for the passport section and the implication that as currently designed, passport space might be underused for up to 5 out of every 10 years. Mr Smith's letter of 22 June had updated the Treasury and included a comparison in net present value terms between the cost of building the "spare" space with the cost of renting and fitting out an equivalent area in the busy years of the cycle. This showed conclusively that building on present plans represented good value for money. In answer to questions Mr Bertram said that the time it was so far taking the Treasury to reply was not unusual. He confirmed that the delay was eating into the time table for the project and that this had been the case since 10 June.
9.
Both
Mr Wootton (RFD) explained the Treasury's queries about how the British Council's space within the building was to be
Hong Kong was a special case without a precedent. the FCO and the British Council were clear that this bid had
funded.
con.gen.NAT.JRB
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