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Question: This morning you mentioned somebody said something in a tea party. But Mr Chen Ziying has stated very clearly that senior officials must affirm their support to the provisional legislature. So how does this specifically contradict the Government's position? Will the both sides sit together to work out an arrangement that is more flexible?
Governor: I answered that question quite extensively this morning and I think it would be tiresome for all of you if I was to repeat myself this afternoon. All I will say in addition to what I said this morning is that I'm sure that Hong Kong civil servants who are among the best in the world will be loyal to the Government before 1997 and loyal to the Government after 1997 and in that way will with their usual integrity, competence and high morale be serving the people of Hong Kong to the best of their ability.
Question: out of their jobs by asking them to do that?
Governor: No. You were there this morning and I'm sure you recall the clear, ringing and eloquent words that I used in answer to two of your questions, one of which was exactly the same as the predecessor.
Question: Governor, should we follow suit what Mr Major... issued a ban on beef produced in Britain? Should Hong Kong follow suit...?
Governor: As you know, we've been keeping the position under careful review. It's not perhaps an issue with quite the dimensions in Hong Kong as elsewhere. Only about two per cent of the beef which is consumed in Hong Kong comes from Britain. But we are in touch with the World Health Organisation and we'll be taking our lead from them and from their advice because we want to make sure that we don't take any risks and that we operate on the best possible medical advice. There is one other thing I would mention. I think that some traders are concerned that there may be a more general worry about beef because of the two per cent of British beef. What we've done is to advise the trade to distinguish for example on counters or on menus whether or not they're using British beef or other sorts of beef. I think that should give people the assurance that they want to need. But I think the people of Hong Kong know, given our record where there have been other public health concerns, that we have an outstandingly good competent and professional public health set of safeguards in Hong Kong and we intend whatever the circumstances to keep them in place because our primary concern has got to be the health of the people of Hong Kong.
Question: Can you guarantee that the two per cent beef can be safely consumed?
Governor: I can give exactly the same assurances that the scientists have given. But if you expect me to come between the consumer and sensible scientific advice, then you'd be asking me to do something which will be very unwise for the Governor to do.