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Transcript of the Governor's media session
Following is the transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after officiating at the foundation-stone laying ceremony of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Jockey Club Aberdeen Rehabilitation Complex this (Friday) afternoon:
Governor: I'm very pleased to have been here at the foundation-stone laying of this splendid project. It's an important landmark in the development of better services for people with disabilities here in Hong Kong and I look forward to coming back for the opening in May next year.
Question: (on expert talks on budgets)
Governor: Well, there is no confusion at all. There is certainly no confusion on the part of K. C Kwong and the Hong Kong Government. The position is simply this, that the Chinese side have put some proposals to us which we are considering. For the moment, we are getting on with the job of preparing this year's budget and making sure that it meets the needs of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong economy. But there's been no agreement at all, just to underline that point, as K C Kwong has made clear, on the modalities for taking forward consultations over the next year. What we're absolutely clear about is that we'd like to see a sensible and prudent budget for a whole year in 1997-98. Of course that straddles the transitions so, again as I've made absolutely clear, we'll want to have the fullest possible discussion with the Chief Executive (Designate) and his or her team because they'll represent three quarters of that financial year. What we have to do is, I think, achieve two objectives. First of all, to have the smoothest possible financial and economic transition and we are committed to that, which is why we suggested these budget discussions in the first place. Secondly, we do of course want to make absolutely certain that Hong Kong's autonomy in financial and economic matters is pursued. So those will be our objectives and I'm sure we'll be able to achieve them. We've got a very good team in
those talks.
Question: (on Bill on protecting wages on insolvency)