2:
A:
but I'm delighted that Chris Patten, its become possible
to appoint him, and delighted that he's decided to take
on one of the most important jobs in the public service
of the Crown in this decade.
Do you think that people in Hong Kong are right to
assume that his appointment means that there may be a
more rapid movement towards democracy which many of them
want to see, full democracy maybe even by 1977?
No, I don't think that people can make any assumptions
of that kind. Obviously the new Chris will want to
settle in, he'll want to study the facts, he'll want to
take a lot of advice and that process will take a bit of
time. We are committed to raise this question, to pit
the question that you've mentioned with the Chinese at a
time which we think is best and obviously he'll be in a
position soon to advise us on that.
Q: But his position of course is just as difficult as that
of his predecessor was. China is a country with whom we still have slightly strained relations, whose human
rights record is still open to some question.
very hard task is it not?
A:
Its a
What people in
They want a Governor
Its a hugely difficult job. Its a hugely difficult job. David Wilson has done it very well.
Hong Kong want they want 2 things.
and a British Government which is prepared to stand up
for their interests in Peking and elsewhere. They also
want a quiet life without commotion and without any
shake to confidence. You've heard what Rita Fan
(phonetic) said about that. It is very hard to get both
those things but that is what the Governor and what the
British Government has to seek to do so that the
transition under the Joint Declaration goes through
smoothly in the best interests of Hong Kong.