TNAG-2661-FCO40-3857-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 146

CONFIDENTIAL

The question of facilities for the commercial section: the multi-purpose hall access of business visitors and management had already been covered;

Of the remaining points in this section:

the question of capital cost of the building had been covered earlier. We agreed that it was too soon to look in detail at running costs;

- the Farrell Group in Hong Kong. It was noted that Farrell now had an office in Hong Kong which he intended to build up, and that most of the further design work on the building would take place in Hong Kong.

BTC telno 200

The question of an ad-hoc Co-ordinating Committee is covered above. On liaison with customers (para 6) we agreed that it would be for Mr Day to decide how to maintain contact with senior businessmen about British business prospects. But the aim of these meetings would not be to discuss directly the Consulate-General building. On staffing implications (para 10) OED commented that at this stage of a new building project, the issue was normally handled by the MO in the post concerned. Mr Day agreed that Mr Jarvis should play this role, provided that his package of proposals for LE reinforcement of the management section was accepted. He will be pursuing this separately with RMD. On telegram distribution (para 12) we agreed to arrange a distribution for telegrams on the Consulate-General.

Mr Day agreed that we should proceed to recommend the Farrell design to Ministers. The meeting then discussed arrangements for the announcement of a decision to award the design to Farrell. It was agreed that we should be ready to make an announcement as soon as Farrells was informed (in case of leaks): although we would aim to make a public annoucement a few days after informing the architects. We should aim for a co-ordinated announcement in London and Hong Kong. Spokesmen would need careful supplementary material covering such issues as completion date, staff numbers, Mr Day's tenure and costs. (Action: Mr Morris and OED, clearing with BTC and the Hong Kong Government.

Hong Kong Department 22 July 1992

Distribution

Mr Hum

Mr Bertram, OED

Mr Newey, OED Mr Whittle, OED Mr Smith, OED Mr Ricketts, HKD Mr Morris, HKD

BE2ABA

Mr Pugh British Council Mr Day, SBTC

CONFIDENTIAL