TNAG-2659-FCO40-3855-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 13

UNCLASSIFIED

HKD 466/1

UNCLASSIFIED

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO

1115

OF 230713Z APRIL 92

INFO PRIORITY BTC HONG KONG

57

123022

MDHIAN 1229

TOP COPY Q DIST?

pa.

J4+/4

MIPT: SITE FOR FUTURE BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL

1 THE Q AND A DEFENSIVE BRIEF ARE AS FOLLOWS:

·

Q1: WHEN WAS THIS AGREEMENT MADE?

A1: AS FORESHADOWED IN THE JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED DURING THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO BEIJING IN SEPTEMBER 1991, THE LAND COMMISSION'S AGREEMENT TO INCLUDE THE LAND REQUIREMENT FOR THE FUTURE BCG IN THE 1991/92 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME WAS ANNOUNCED ON 9 OCTOBER 1991.

Q2: WHY NOMINAL PREMIUM?

A2: THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BCG IS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED FOR IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. THE BCG WILL BE A SYMBOL OF BRITAIN'S CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG'S FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CENTRE.

Q3: WOULD NOMINAL PREMIUM POLICY APPLY TO LAND FOR OTHER CONSULATES IN HK?

A3: NO. THE NATURE OF THIS LAND GRANT IS UNIQUE.

Q4: WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF LAND PREMIUM FOREGONE?

A4: THE COLVIN HOUSE SITE IS ZONED FOR GIC USE UNDER CENTRAL DISTRICT OZP FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT NORMALLY EXPECT TO COLLECT A PREMIUM.

(NEXT TWO WORDS UNDERLINED) (IF PRESSED ON PERCEIVED LOSS OF REVENUE: NO FIGURE AVAILABLE.)

Q5: WHEN WILL COLVIN HOUSE BE DEMOLISHED?

A5: THE SITE IS EXPECTED TO BE HANDED OVER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY 1993. DEMOLITION OF THE PRESENT BUILDING WILL PRESUMABLY

1

PAGE

UNCLASSIFIED