TNAG-2662-FCO40-3858-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 95

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will also be housed on the site.

Current premises are spread around Hong Kong, on short leases, and not large enough to accommodate all the functions of the new Consulate General. A single, purpose-built building provides the best solution.

COST COMPARISON

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RENTING NOT CHEAPER?

- The Hong Kong Government are granting the site free of charge; only cost is cost of construction. Competitive tendering and careful project management will ensure best value for FCO and taxpayer.

HOW MANY STAFF?

We estimate we shall need about 60 UK-based and 200 local staff on the Consulate-General side and about 5 UK and 170 local on the British Council side.

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO NOW/WHY SO MUCH BIGGER?

Roughly the same number of Council staff; about four times as many CG staff.

- CG will need to take on a range of tasks currently done for us by the Hong Kong Government; notably immigration and passport work, which accounts for most of the extra staff.

ARE CHINESE CONTENT?

- The Chinese Government agreed in the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 to the establishment of a British Consulate-General in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, and approved the free grant of the site through the Sino-British Land Commission.

WILL CHINA HAVE AN MFA BUILDING IN HONG KONG?

- The Hong Kong Government are discussing this with the Chinese authorities.

WHO JUDGED THE DESIGNS?

Ministers took the final decision after consultations involving various experts including Swire Properties Projects Ltd and Mr John Partridge, a senior partner of Howell, Killick, Partridge and Amis.

WHY FARRELL'S?

- The response from all participants in the architectural selection exercise was of a high quality. However it was concluded that the Farrell design met most closely the requirements and was architecturally the most attractive. Design development will now be carried out in Farrell's office in Hong Kong.

- Farrell's practice was established in 1965 and has offices in London, Edinburgh and Hong Kong. It is responsible for a wide range of projects including those at London Wall, Charing Cross and Vauxhall Cross in London and the Peak Tram in Hong Kong.

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