Press Conforance By The Rt. Hon. Michael Stewart,
Secretary of Stato For Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs,
At Hong Kong Airport - April 19, 1970.
The following is a transcript of a Press conference given by the
Rt. Hon. Michaol Stewart, Socrotary of Stato for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs, at Hong Kong Intornational Airport on Sunday, April 19, 1970,
beforo leaving for Japan:
Mr. Stewart:
It's boc a groat ploasure to make this visit to Hong Kong
although unavoidably it's bon a vory short one. I camo as you may havo
imaginod to look, to listen, to inform myself. This is tho first timo that
anyone holding the office of Foreign and Commonwoalth Socrotary has visited
Hong Kong. Of course tho moment you land hero, you bocomo awaro of a thriving,
vigorous community. It's a mattor of special intorost to us in the Foraign
and Commonwealth Offico bocauso it is, of course, far and away tho most populous
of all of the dependent torritorios of tho United Kingdom. Well, I'vo triod
while I've been horo, in conversations with a good many pooplo, to inform
myself both of your hopos and of your problems, and I would want to assure
the people of Hong Kong that wo in Britain try to understand their problems,
and wish them well. Now you no doubt will want to ask questions. Whothor
or not I shall be able to answor thom you will find out but I'll do my best.
Mr. Paul Strauss (Hong Kong Standard): You're undoubtedly avaro
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that tho alocted roprosentatives of Hong Kong have only a say in the administration
of such problems as sowago, arts and refuse collectior. Do you think that in
a reasonablo amount of timo, alccted representatives will have a say in such
mattors as education, social wolfaro, public works?
Mr. Stewart: Woll, I understand that thoro are proposals already
boing oxamined about your local govornment arrangement about tho position of
tho Urban Council, and I shall look at thom with vory groat care whơn thay
como to mo.
/Mr. Len Port