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been a consequence of the co-location brief though PES papers did not explicitly state this. Mr Wootton and Mr Gunesekera
(British Council) agreed to work on a response to the Treasury immediately after the meeting.
10.
On the question of whether the British Council would be expected to pay rent, Mr Gunesekera (British Council) said it was his understanding that the project represented an FCO led capital bid and that the British Council would not be contributing to capital cost or rent as such but that the British Council would expect to pay a proportionate amount towards ground rent and running costs. Mr Morris (HKD) added that if the allocation, once approved, fell short of the amount needed, then the burden of finding extra capital resources should fall not only on OED but also on the British Council. Bertram and Mr Wootton confirmed that they shared this view.
AGENDA ITEM 3
British Chamber of Commerce
Mr
11. Mrs Barnes Jones (HKD) told members of the Committee that Mr Goodlad had written in June to offer the British Chamber space on the basis that their inclusion could be organised within the terms of the lease and that the BCC agree to pay a fair rent for the space occupied (Mr Goodlad had also spoken in these terms to the Chairman of the BCC when he had recently visited Hong Kong). The Chamber were lobbying for free accommodation; both Mr Goodlad and Mr Needham had made it clear that this was not on offer. Hong Kong Department and OED were exploring how best to square the inclusion of the BCC with the conditions of the lease. Mr Savage had thought it worth investigating the possibility of a licensing arrangement which might fit the bill (and would not necessitate a formal approach to the Building and Lands Department for authoritiy to proceed). Mr Savage would be in the area at the end of July and could spend a day in Hong Kong to follow up on this and other aspects of the BCC's inclusion in the Consulate-General building with the BTC, their legal advisers and with the BCC themselves. Steering Committee confirmed at Mr Hum's request that they wished to invite Mr Savage to pursue discussions in Hong Kong. The Steering Committee would continue to keep under review progress towards the inclusion of the British Chamber of Commerce in the Consulate General Building.
Any other Business
The
12. Mr Bertram noted that tenders had now been returned for the demolition of the Colvin House Building, but the contract would not be let before Treasury approval was received. The tender list for the next contract (for site formation) was now being drawn up. Given the wide interest by major UK and other construction companies in tendering for this contract, and for the later and larger main construction contract, OED would be sumbitting to Mr Goodlad on proposed tender lists in due
con.gen.NAT.JRB
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