15.
There are many channels open to us. There are very real drawbacks to a
referendum, but whatever method is adopted, when the time comes for the House
to debate the draft agreement, the people of Hong Kong will have had a full
opportunity to make their views known.
In working for an agreement on Hong Kong's long-term future, we shall not
lose sight of our responsibilities in the period before 1997. Until that time,
we shall continue to provide the framework within which the Hong Kong Government
can administer the territory and plan for its future. Our intention is to
protect Hong Kong's prosperity by making the transition as smooth as possible.
To ensure this, it is vital that Hong Kong people should be in no doubt over
where administrative responsibility lies. Hong Kong is successful and we
firmly intend that it should remain so, I can assure the House that there will
be no lame duck administration in Hong Kong,
Throughout our conduct of the negotiations on Hong Kong's future, the
anxieties and concerns of the people of the territory have been at the forefront
of our minds.
.