TNAG-2663-FCO40-3859-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General.-With-photogra-1992 — Page 38

17-DEC-1992 16:30

John Morris Esq

Hong Kong Department

FCO

BRITISH TRADE COMM

Ihr Sonage,

A fourther letter from Dhar Dony

17/12

P.01

1211

British Trade Commission Hong Kong

17 December 1992

HKD 406/1

Wen Jaben.

CHANGE OF RESIDENCE

1.

(203

Many thanks for your letter of 11 December. I quite understand that we will not have a decision before Christmas and the Kadoorie people are prepared to keep the offer open at least until early January. The other deadline to bear in mind is that we must notify Swire Properties of our intention to move in accordance with the break clause in the lease and that will have to be done before the end of the month. I much regret that this will all be coming to a head over the Christmas/New Year period but hope officials will nevertheless be able to put the papers together in order to secure a Ministerial decision as soon as possible.

2.

As you know, I outlined my observations on the Albany flat to Mr Goodlad when he was here and asked him to let me know if he had strong views. He did not do so.

3. Floor plans are on their way to Mr Bertram together with copies of this correspondence. I am also faxing herewith revised annexes to my letter to you of 4 December and ask that my letter and the annexes be submitted to Ministers as my considered conclusion reached after six months of extensive enquiries. The move should not be seen in isolation; it is a central part of the reorganisation of our activities here. I explained to the Governor this morning what I was recommending and why and he expressed himself pleased with my proposals.

4.

From a presentational point of view I see advantage in moving.

To the casual inquirer we can say that we have a good "deal" and will be saving on recurrent costs. For my most important contacts, the benefits will be self-evident.

5. Finally, on the question of writing-off initial costs. When I first enquired into the cost of the flat I was led to believe that the £174,000 you referred to was for furnishings. This was one of the reasons for my questioning how we had spent so much money on accommodation, in contrast, for example, to the shabbiness of the office. (Incidentally, that is being put right over the coming weekend).