TNAG-2660-FCO40-3856-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 34

to have another look.

CONFIDENTIAL

4. Mr Cox argued that we should not give up completely on

Victoria House. He felt that the Hong Kong Government could

well afford to give us Victoria House as well as the Colvin

House site and that the likely local opposition to this idea

might have been exaggerated. Governments of former

dependent territories often gave the British Government good

properties when they became independent. He therefore

suggested that we brief the Governor-designate on the case

for Victoria House. Mr Cox added that if we decided to go for Victoria House it might be better to move in as soon as

possible in order to minimise any reaction. One way in which this could be achieved was by exchanging the Albany

apartment for Victoria House when the present Chief Secretary retires.

5. In conclusion Mr Hum said that we should brief the

Governor-designate about the problems over the future

Consul-General's residence and put to him the question of

Victoria House. We should also reply to the Governor's

recent suggestion of a package deal for Headquarters House,

involving the handing over of surplus GCHQ flats to the Hong

Kong Government who would build a new house for the

Commander of the Chinese PLA, to the effect that we were

grateful for his proposals but that we were not in favour of

pursuing this building for the reasons given by Mr

Galsworthy. Mr Hum asked Hong Kong Department to prepare

these two drafts for him.

Hong Kong Department

22 June 1992

JH4ABF/2

19/06/92

sent to Mr Bertram

28 22/6.