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RFD are reviewing this with other departments and with the
British Council. The British Council take the view that they
came in on the understanding that they would not have to pay
rent. They are not happy about the Treasury queries (which
echo questions raised by RFD). RFD will brief the Committee
(a representative from the British Council will be present).
We agree with the British Council that the Consulate General
was conceived as a joint FCO/British Council capital bid.
Where we part company is that we think they should make a
rental contribution towards extra costs of construction, just
as OED is finding extra capital resources, outside the Hong
Kong Consulate General PES bid.
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British Chamber of Commerce You might like me to update the
Steering Committee on developments since the last meeting on
collocation of the British Chamber of Commerce. Mr Savage will be in the area at the end of July and could discuss with
the BCC the terms of their inclusion.
Developments in question are that Mr Goodlad wrote to offer
the British Chamber space on the basis that their inclusion
can be organised within the terms of the lease and that the
BCC agree to pay a fair rent for the space occupied. The
Chamber are lobbying for free accommodation, but both Mr
Goodlad and Mr Needham have made it clear that this is not on
offer. We and OED are still exploring how best to square the
inclusion of the BCC with the conditions of the lease. Mr
Savage has identified an approach which might fit the bill (a
licensing arrangement, which, subject to legal advice, will
not breach Special Condition 13 which stipulates that the Grantee "shall not assign, mortgage, charge, demise,
under-let, part with the possession of or otherwise dispose of ..the lot"). Mr Savage will be at the meeting and could go
min.steering.NAT
JEB
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