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F.08
Cont'd/pg. 5
38. Do you accept that the role of your Minister of State with responsibility for Hongkong has changed since the advent of the present Governor, and that this explains why he visits Hongkong less frequently than his predecessors? 39. Should Mr Patten's proposals fail to gain acceptance from China, and should China continue to refuse to talk about other issues, how can you see him continuing to operate as an effective Governor?
40. Can you envisage a situation between now and 1997 in which there is only minimal contact between a Hongkong governor and the China Government?
41. Should such a situation arise, how would Britain answer calls to replace the Governor?
42. The airport and a number of other important business issues are now held up pending agreement by China.
Do you believe these are linked to political reform? And how do you see this situation being resolved?