Question: Could you tell us about the Preparatory Committee list and what you are going to do about it?
Governor: We're studying the proposals on the list. We've been awaiting the list for some time and we'll want to give it proper consideration. As you know, we've set out the general principles within which we're very keen to co-operate. That is in compliance with the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. Secondly, the importance of maintaining the authority of Government and that was a proposition which I noted was confirmed by the Head of the Political Affairs Department of the Hong Kong and Macau Office, Mr Xu, back in December. So there should be no argument about that because he made it absolutely clear that there could only be one Government, only one power centre before 1997, 30th of June. And thirdly, the other criterion that we've made abundantly plain is that nothing should be done which would cause divided loyalties among our first class civil service whose morale and integrity and professionalism we're keen to maintain. So within those parameters we'll be considering the proposals on the list and we'll make clear to the Chinese side in due course what our own thoughts are on these matters.
Question: Does the list include the assistance to the provisional legislature?
Governor: If you start asking me "does the list include this" and "does the list include that", I might as well tell you what the list amounts to and that would be to breach the undertaking that we've agreed with the Chinese side.
Question: to the provisional legislature?
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Governor: You know perfectly well what our position is on the legislature. I've made it clear again and again and again; and our position on that won't change. There is a Legislative Council in Hong Kong which was freely and fairly elected. It meets every Wednesday in a building not very far from here. And that continues to be the position.
Question: What can the British Government do to prevent the setting up of the provisional legislature?
Governor: What can the British Government do? If the Chinese side are determined to set up a provisional legislature, then they have to explain why they're doing that and how that contributes to Hong Kong's well-being to the people of Hong Kong, to the British Government and to international opinion.