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Statement by Governor on Lau
The Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, today (Tuesday) had a meeting with Mr Martin Lee, Mr Yeung Sum, Mr Lau Chin-shek and Mr Anthony Cheung of the Democratic Party concerning Mr Lau's possible resignation from the Legislative Council.
After the meeting, Mr Patten said: "I am pleased that Mr Lau has postponed a decision on whether to resign from the Legislative Council until he has had a chance to consider the revised package which the Government hopes to table in LegCo soon, after discussion with the Labour Advisory Board (LAB).
"Mr Lau is a man of integrity with huge experience of labour issues. LegCo and Hong Kong would be the poorer if he were to leave the Legislative Council.
"It is a pity that this matter has aroused such strong emotions. What it shows above all is that the Legislative Council is not a rubber stamp; if it was, these difficulties would not have arisen.
"Because the Administration lost the vote, we are now returning to the LAB with a revised package, which, we hope, reflects the views of the Council. After consultation with the LAB, we hope to be able to return to LegCo with a proposal which will be acceptable to the Council.
"We believe that the LAB has played a valuable role over the years in promoting good labour relations in Hong Kong. We are keen to preserve its useful experience and role. At the end of the day we hope we will be able to put in place arrangements of which both the Legislative Council and the LAB approve."
End/Tuesday, December 20, 1994
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