BIE
direction of representative government over the last 10 years: I do not believe your comments take adequate account of the progress that has been made.
You also raised the issue of the length of tenure of Ministers of State responsible for Hong Kong. I understand your concern. But I think you underestimate the continuity in British policy towards Hong Kong. This has been consistent since before the negotiation of the Joint Declaration; and in that period there have only been two Prime Ministers and two Foreign Secretaries. The general election ensures that the same policies will continue up to 1997. Both the Prime Ministers during this period have displayed a strong personal commitment to, and involvement in, the affairs of Hong Kong. Mr Major has met his Chinese counterpart three times in the past year; on each occasion Hong Kong was at the centre of their discussions. The Foreign Secretary was in Peking in April 1991 to talk about Hong Kong and has since met the Chinese Foreign Minister twice for the same purpose. I am new to my responsibilities as Minister of State. But I come to this job with a good knowledge of Hong Kong and the surrounding region, having worked there for several years. And I can assure you that I shall now be devoting a large part of my time and energies to the problems and long-term interests of Hong Kong and all its people in the crucial years
ahead.
فتره
чай
نستلملال
ALASTAIR GOODLAD