viii
APPENDIX TO THE MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE
(b) the need to give a high priority to improving the quality and security of the accommo-
dation for junior embassy staff, which can greatly help morale.
1
13. In our consideration of this subject, we have drawn on our experience of diplomatic premises which we visited during the course of our recent inquiries. In Riyadh, for example. the Residence was designed in accordance with Treasury guidelines. Even so, it appeared to us to be poorly designed and unimpressive, and its space for entertaining is cramped. We hope the FCO will take care in the future not to repeat the mistakes of this design. Sir Patrick Wright told us that the FCO is “sometimes able to interpret the [space] standards fairly liberally if there are special climatic conditions or other circumstances".2 Such flexibility should be operated wherever possible.
14. In the case of the Moscow embassy, which we visited during our inquiry into Essen Europe and the Soviet Union, major capital works are planned to construct a new Residenc on Voyevodina Street (designed by Julian Bicknell, who won the design competition for the project) and new offices and staff accommodation on Smolenskaya Embankment (to be designed by Ahrends, Burton & Koralek).3 It is "unlikely" that construction work will start on these projects before Spring 1993 and that the buildings can be occupied before 1997. The cost is likely to be "of the order of £60 million at current central London prices (excluding such premia as may have to be paid for British contractors working in Moscow)". The expected cost of planning in 1989-90 is £1,053,000. This includes £600,000 in fees to outside consultants. 5
4
15. In the meantime, the Ambassador and his staff will have to operate from the historic palace on Morisa-Thoreza for at least another eight years. At present these premises are inadequate, particularly in respect of the reception area and Chancery offices. We also noted in our visit the extremely low standard of accommodation available to the British Council, which we believe needs to be addressed as well. The workload of the Embassy and the number of its visitors are likely to increase as the Soviet Union seeks to increase its trade and other contacts with the West, and this will put further pressure on facilities that are already overstretched. Accordingly, we were glad to be told by Sir Patrick Wright that the FCO will "try and make as much improvement" as it can. We repeat the recommendation of our First Report, that "high priority be given to improving the current accommodation, particularly the Chancery".7
16. The need to establish more substantial premises for British representation in Hong Kong, both in the period to 1997 and thereafter, has been raised during our inquiry into Hong Kong. We discussed the subject in evidence with Sir Patrick Wright," who described the continuing search for a suitable site for the future Consulate General, the options of buying or leasing, and of a possible joint venture with commercial developers. We have commented on this matter in our report on Hong Kong."
Funding of Academic Research by FCO
17. During our inquiry into Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, we were made aware of the importance of informed analysis of longer term trends in those countries. We recommended "that the FCO in conjunction with other Government departments review their research programmes and academic sponsorships to encourage new thinking on the whole range of issues". Accordingly we sought to identify the academic research on this area funded by the FCO. Financial support totalling £111,000 is given to a number of organisations which include the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House)." However the core of the FCO's research effort lies in in-house activity. The FCO's own Research Department provides
I QQ 132-4.
? Q 143.
3 Evidence, p 41.
+ Evidence, p 41.
Evidence, p 61.
" Q 123.
7 First Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee HC (1988–89) 16, Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, paragraph 4.55. The Government's Response was set out in Cm 708.
* QQ 126-31.
"Second Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee HC (1988-89) 281-1, paragraphs 4.30 to 4.32.
10 Op cit paragraph 4.25.
"For details, see Evidence, p 43.
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