TNAG-2660-FCO40-3856-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 59

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FM BTC HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 166

OF 080947Z JUNE 92

FOR HUM (AUSS) AND HEAD OF OED

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78 9/6.075427

MDADAN 4110

Mr. Picketts

HKD 706/1

1992

XB

THE POST 1997 ESTATE IN HONG KONG

SUMMARY

1. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR

(A) A MORE COHERENT LONG-TERM ESTATE POLICY:

(B) HIGHER WEIGHTING TO COSTS: LOWER FOR DESIGN:

(C) CHOOSING LEIGH AND ORANGE (LO) AS ARCHITECTS FOR THE NEW

CONSULATE-GENERAL:

(D) EARLY SEARCH FOR A HOUSE FOR STC/FUTURE CG:

(E) REVIEWING THE NEED FOR AND COST OF THE PROPOSED BRITISH

COUNCIL THEATRE.

DETAIL

2. IN ADDITION TO THE BRIEFING ARRANGED DURING MR GOODLAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PLANS IN MORE DETAIL WITH SWIRE PROPERTIES PROJECTS (SPP) AND MY MO, AND TALKED THE ISSUES THROUGH WITH A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERTS INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR, HMA PEKING AND THE HEAD OF THE JLG, AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS. THE SPP ' ASSESSMENT OF OUTLINE DESIGN PROPOSALS' AND THEIR SUPPLEMENTARY

REPORT ARE ESSENTIAL READING.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

3. BRITAIN'S POST 97 PRESENCE WILL BE PRESERVED, MAYBE EVEN STRENGTHENED, BY REASON OF POLITICAL ACTION, I.E. BY BRITISH MINISTERS, THE GOVERNOR, THE JLG AND THE EMBASSY IN PEKING. ARGUMENTS OF PRESTIGE MAY BE RELEVANT TO THESE RESPONSIBILITIES

BUT THEY ARE OF MINOR IMPORTANCE TO THE C-G. PRIORITY SHOULD GO

TO OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY (AND THAT INCLUDES STAFF MORALE), SERVICE, AND LOW RUNNING COSTS. WE MAY TAKE IT AS A RULE OF THUMB

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