TNAG-2967-FCO40-4246-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-inclusion-of--1993 — Page 76

RES

HKD 406/13

04 JUI 1993

PAGE 1 OF 2

The British Chamber

of Commerce

in Hong Kong

27 May 1993

The Rt Hon Alistair Goodlad M.P. Minister of State

Foreign & Commonwealth Office

King Charles Street

London SW1

United Kingdom

Mr

香港英

商

HILD

Mrs. 1/6

416

·

• Moms, 11

Already answered. Digrial

for you files.

6 6.5 Serey

alle

PS/M Goutled

BY FAX AND BY MAIL

Dear Mr Goodlad

For some years now it has been proposed that the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong should co-locate its offices with the Consulate-General when it is completed in 1996. We have had a number of meetings with members of the British Trade Commission on this point.

The advantages of such a move are obvious : a "one stop shop" for British businessmen and an opportunity for the Chamber to identify itself as positively British in Hong Kong after 1997.

However, the Chamber is an independent body which receives no government funding. You are, I am sure, aware that we have an comprehensive strategic plan to implement to better anchor British business after 1997 and are very worried about costs. If a commercial rent is to be charged, the Chamber will have to seriously reconsider its options.

In conversations with the two previous Senior Trade Commissioners, Peter Heap and Stephen Day, 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.

I appreciate that this matter is politically sensitive (the matter has been before the Hong Kong Executive Council already), but hope that we can use your good offices to help.

I enclose a copy of similar letter to the Hon Richard Needham MP.

Best wishes

Yours sincerely

James Chiu

Chairman

1712 Shui On Centre, 8 Harbour Road, Hong Kong. Telephone: 824 2211 Facsimile: 824 1333 Telex: 82759 BRIT HX

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