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Question: (Express News) Would you discuss your next policy address with the Chinese side or the Preparatory Committee etc.? And would you continue to publish the policy commitments next year? Or would it be just a nine month policy address?
Governor: No, we'll publish our policy commitments and progress reports next year. I think they're important steps along the road to more open government. I'm sure that I would want next year to discuss my policy address, though not necessarily go further than that, with the Chief Executive (Designate) if he or she is in place by then. As you know, I've once again this year done Director Lu Ping the courtesy of letting him have a copy in advance. I hope very much, incidentally, that he's recovering well from his illness.
Shall we let somebody who hasn't had a chance of a question.
Question(?): Governor, can you tell us your considerations in the choice of the two new extra members, especially, I mean on the one hand we have made a considerably speedy progress in the localisation of the Hong Kong Government but on the other hand you have chosen Mr McGregor in the process of decolonisation?
Governor: Well, I think Mr McGregor is one of the most widely respected public servants in Hong Kong and the reasons for choosing him, like the reasons for choosing Vincent Cheng, speak for themselves. You've only got to look at their record. There was an admirable account of their contribution to Hong Kong's well being in an article in the South China Morning Post about three months ago by, I think, Kevin Sinclair, which put the point admirably and summarised the sort of considerations which any sensible Governor would bear in mind in inviting them. And as for the question of non-ethnic Chinese on the Executive Council, John Gray, as you know, is leaving the Executive Council, so the number of non-ethnic Chinese will not be increased by Mr McGregor's appointment and when the Attorney's post is localised as well there will be then only two non-ethnic Chinese on the Executive Council of whom the Governor will be one.
Question: (follow-up) How about, I mean, the official mandarins in the Executive Council? Will there be more senior civil servants included in the ExCo later?
Governor: Well, I won't consider that until a little later. I think it's been a very helpful development to have the contributions that we've had from a number of senior civil servants but I will be looking at any future appointments when I need to do so.