Mr Bertram,
OED
RESTRICTED & PERSONAL
Ye Gods
in
FROM: CO Hum
29 DATE: 29 July 1992
Mr, fox
Mr Manis 2917
CC:
PS/PUS
Chief Clerk
Mr Ricketts, HKD
på.
Yaily
133
BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL, HONG KONG
1. When I was in Hong Kong earlier in the week I overlapped for a short time with the party of the Minister of Trade, Mr Needham. I was told privately by one of his officials that Mr Day had spoken to the Minister about the plans for the new Consulate-General. Mr Day had described at some lengths what he saw as the deficiencies of the Farrell design, in particular from the point of view of the operation of the Commercial Section. He had added that he had "nearly lost his job" over the project, presumably a reference to his discussions with us in London. The implication was that Mr Day had put his job on the line in pressing a reluctant London to make essential changes to the design. interest and support.
The Minister had expressed some
2. There may therefore be an approach from the Minister to FCO Ministers. But Mr Needham is now in China, and then goes on holiday. It may be some time before we know if he is planning to intervene, and in the meantime we can only go ahead.
3. Subsequently there was the first meeting of the Hong Kong steering group on the Consulate-General, chaired by Mr Day. was told by Mr Paul of our JLG office, who attended the meeting, that on that occasion Mr Day stuck to the party line, stating that it was the group's task to consider how to implement Ministers' decision to adopt the Farrell design. Discussion was apparently harmonious and constructive.
I
CO Hum
HKD 406/1
RESTRICTED & PERSONAL
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