TNAG-2658-FCO40-3854-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 101

I

CODE 18-77

Reference...................

CONFIDENTIAL

Nevertheless there has been major changes to some Sections,

namely:

3.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a)

Reduction in Consular, Passport and Immigration areas by 540m2 approximately.

Reduction in Amenities areas by 110m2 approx.

Increase in the number of residential staff flats from 6 to 9 an additional 600m2 approximately

and

A redistribution of space and clearer definitions of the relationships of the various Sections within the British Council.

There is flexibility within the overall total to cater for future changes of requirements. The new overall gross total area remains within the figure submitted to and agreed with Hong Kong Government (EXCO) in 1990 ie 19000m2 .

4.

A draft of the design brief (including abridged version of SORS) has now been circulated to appropriate FCO departments, BTC and British Council for approval/comments. We intend to forward, by mid-January 1992, the design brief to our Consultant Project Manager for issue to Consultant Architects.

5.

The questions of Private Treaty Grant, rent, length of lease, security and diplomatic immunity etc will need to be resolved before we commence negotiations on a lease arrangement for co-locating the British Chamber of Commerce in the new Consulate-General office building. Please also see BTC tel no 370 of 10 Dec 91 (Annex C) and HKD's reply of 19 Dec (Annex D).

ACTION: Mr Smith and appropriate FCO departments.

Detail

6. I viewed the existing premises of the BTC, Procurement Unit, British Council, British Chamber of Commerce and Immigration Department Hong Kong and had useful discussions with various members of BTC (including Head, Deputy Head and Management officer), British Council (Mr Buchanan and Mr Lee), Procurement Unit (Mr Breen), British Chamber of Commerce (Mr McWhirter and Mr Wallace) and Mr CHUI Principal Immigration Officer.

pcas2.446

CONFIDENTIAL