TNAG-2967-FCO40-4246-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-inclusion-of--1993 — Page 113

01-MAY-1993

15:17

BRITISH FADE COMMISSION

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28 April 1993

Mr Richard Needham Minister for Trade United Kingdom

Dear Mr Needham

The British Chamber

of Commerce

in Hong Kong

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I would like to thank you for seeing us this afternoon and express our appreciation for the interest you have shown and continue to show in the Chamber. I would also like to explain

to you a few matters of concern to our Chamber for your information and in the hope that you will be able to assist.

For some years now it has been proposed that the Chamber would relocate its offices to the new Consulate-General when it is completed in 1996. Our Executive Director, Barrie McWhirter, has had a number of meetings with representatives of the British Trade Commission over its space to be made available for the Chamber in the new Consulate-General. In the last few days we have been told that present plans allow a mere 107 sq m for the Chamber's offices. We are on record to Stephen Day as stating that a minimum of 200 sq m will be required by 1996, We presently occupy 100 sq m and propose expanding our staff numbers and space over the next 3 years. If only 107 sq m is available we will not, in practice, be able to move into the new Consulate- General.

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Furthermore, in conversations with Peter Heap we were led to believe that the premises would be made available to us at a nominal or ́ pepper-corn rent. This because the deed of entitlement does not permit HMG to sub-let. Now we have been told that this is not so and a commercial rent may be charged. This will, of course, have a major impact on the Chamber's plans and funding. I appreciate that this matter is politically sensitive, but hope that we can use your good offices to help.

It is the Chamber's aim to be Britain's effective voice in Hong Kong and China and to this end your assistance is enormously helpful. Specifically you can aid us through your recognition whenever you visit Hong Kong, by spending time with our members and including them on your delegations to China.

1712 Shui On Centre, 8 Harbour Road, Hong Kong.

0534

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