TNAG-2659-FCO40-3855-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 16

UNCLASSIFIED

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 1114

OF 23070OZ APRIL 92

INFO PRIORITY BTC HONG KONG

UNCLASSIFIED

TOP COPY

HKD 4067

Q DIST?

1992

56

123016 MDHIAN 1227

19.

J24/4

SITE FOR FUTURE BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL.

дв

A QUESTION WILL BE ASKED FOR WRITTEN REPLY AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 29 APRIL 1992 ON THE SUBJECT. THE QUESTION READS QUOTE WILL THE GOVERNMENT. INFORM THIS COUNCIL WHETHER IT IS AWARE THAT THE LAND ON WHICH COLVIN HOUSE NOW STANDS WILL BE GRANTED TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AS THE SITE FOR HER CONSULATE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997, AND IF SO, WILL IT INFORM THIS COUNCIL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH GRANT QUERY QUOTE.

2.

WE PROPOSE TO REPLY THAT QUOTE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO GRANT BY PRIVATE TREATY THE COLVIN HOUSE SITE OF ABOUT 6500 SQ.M FOR THE POSTO1997 BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL. THE LEASE WILL BE FOR A PERIOD UP TO 30 JUNE 2047 AT A PREMIUM OF HONG KONG DOLLARS 1000. LAND RENT UP TO 30 JUNE 1997 WILL BE HONG KONG DOLLARS 1000 PER ANNUM AND THEREAFTER AT 3 PER CENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THE LOT. THE USER WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THE BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL AND ANCILLARY ACCOMMODATION AND THE BRITISH COUNCIL QUOTE.

3. IN RESPONSE TO POSSIBLE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS WHEN THE REPLY IS PUBLISHED, WE INTEND TO DEPLOY THE LINES IN THE Q AND A BRIEF IN MIPT.

4. GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED REPLY AND DEFENSIVE Q AND A BEFORE 28 APRIL 1992 (HKT).

WILSON

YYYY

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