TNAG-2967-FCO40-4246-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-inclusion-of--1993 — Page 80

ST-MAY-1583 16:37

BRITISH TRADE COMM

26 May 1993

The Hon Richard Needham M.P.

Minister for Trade

Department of Trade & Industry

66-74 Victoria Street

London SW1E 6SW

United Kingdom

DRAFT

Dear Mr Needham

For some years now is 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

If a strategic plan to implement and are very worried about costs. commercial rent is to be charged, the Chamber will have to seriously

reconsider its options.

În 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.

Best wishes

Yours sincerely

James Chiu

Chairman

The Rt Hon Alastair Goodlad MP

(2

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