CONFIDENTIAL
(C) ASSESSMENT OFFICE
7.
I am glad that most noble Lords were able to agree with
me about the value of the work done by the Assessment Office and the independent Team of Monitors. The reports have been of great value to the Government and, I think, to this House
in considering the agreement. They demonstrate very clearly
and convincingly that the agreement is acceptable to the
people of Hong Kong.
8.
Of course not every aspect of the agreement was acceptable to every person in Hong Kong. No agreement could
be. This is another reason why the Assessment Office Report
is of such value to the Government. It gives us a catalogue of the concerns of the people of Hong Kong which will be of great practical value to us in our future discussions with the Chinese Government, in particular in the Joint Liaison
Group.
9.
We are indebted to the staff of the Assessment Office in Hong Kong, who performed their task with dedication and a scrupulous concern for accuracy. We are also deeply grateful to the distinguished members of the Team of Monitors, who made themselves available despite their heavy commitments.
CONFIDENTIAL