TNAG-2967-FCO40-4246-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-inclusion-of--1993 — Page 77

AK

27 May 1993

The Hon Richard Needham M.P.

Minister for Trade

Department of Trade & Industry

66-74 Victoria Street

London SW1E 6SW

United Kingdom

PAGE 2 OF 2

The British Chamber

of Commerce

in Hong Kong

香港英商會

Dear Mr Needham

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 and you 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.

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 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, Messrs 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 a similar letter to the Rt Hon Alistair Goodlad 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