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Governor: I was surprised that nobody seemed to know that had been the Hong Kong Government's position for the last six years, since we've stated it often enough and usually stated it without it getting the gratifying degree of attention which it received over the week-end. Nobody, I think, believes that because citizens of the European Union could go and live in the United Kingdom that 260 million are going to arrive there next Monday morning. But those are all arguments that we've had out before. It's for me to go on putting Hong Kong's case as Governor of Hong Kong and I'll continue to do so. But I think all of us recognise the arguments that are put on the other side.
Question: But do you think your suggestion will only give an unrealistic hope to Hong Kong people?
Governor: I think it would have been regarded by the Hong Kong people as pretty odd if at this stage in 1995, after six years in which we've been putting this argument, we suddenly dropped it. I think the Hong Kong people are pretty realistic about the prospects. All of us are pretty realistic about the prospects but it doesn't mean that we can simply walk away from the argument.
Question: Would you describe statements like 'having travelling Chinamen in Britain' as racist and have these reactions by Members of Parliament even surprised you in Britain?
Governor. I've been in politics long enough not to be surprised by anything.
Question: At the time when you go back to England will you voice the same opinions?
Governor: Well, I've voiced them consistently when I've been back to England since 1992. On most of my visits, not all, but on most of my visits we've had on the agenda issues involving nationality, particularly of course the question of the war widows and the question of ethnic minorities. And we made some progress on the war widows - not as much as Jack Edwards would have liked - we made a bit of progress on that. And I hope we can make progress on other matters and we will continue to argue them.
Question: Do you think your suggestion will make the meetings between Mr Qian Qichen and Mr Major more difficult?
Governor: No. I'm sure Mr Qian Qichen is well briefed and knows what the policy of the Hong Kong Government is.