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PRIME MINISTER
I think you are on to a point which is at the moment
a very difficult point between Hong Kong and the United States
Government, in view of some of the decisions which the United
States Government has taken about countries of origin, which I
understand is affecting Hong Kong trade. That itself,
obviously, is a matter for the United States Government and is
not affected by the Agreement.
QUESTION
Could a change of the parties affect your
implementation of the Agreement?
PRIME MINISTER
You mean a change of Government?
No. The Agreement
is made on behalf of Britain, on behalf of the United Kingdom, with the Chinese Government and the implementation and honouring of the Agreement continues even though there are changes of parties. It is always a custom in Britain.
:
JILL HARTLEY (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST)
Could I ask you a question, Prime Minister, on defence? Did you receive assurances from the Chinese Leaders that there would be no compulsory conscription into the PLA for Hong Kong people after 1997 and did you discuss the option then of a locally recruited volunteer force to man the British garrison
here?