- 1
Transcript of the Governor's media session
Following is the transcript of the remarks made to the media by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after attending the Executive Council meeting today (Tuesday):
Governor: Perhaps I could say a word or two about Mr C H Tung. CH Tung has been a very valued member of the Executive Council for over three and a half years. I remember my conversations with him in the autumn of 1992 trying to persuade him to join the Executive Council as a very important representative of a point of view about the development of Hong Kong and the development of our institutions. I was pleased then that he did so and I've been delighted with the contribution that he's made as a colleague over three and a half years.
When C H became a member of the Preparatory Committee at the turn of the year, he discussed with me and with the Chief Secretary Anson Chan and with his fellow members of the Executive Council whether there might not be a conflict of interest between his position on the Preparatory Committee and his position on the Executive Council. We urged him very strongly to stay. We thought that there shouldn't be a conflict of interest, but I know the question has worried him and it's of course been raised with me by other people. I answered questions on the subject on the first of February from Szeto Wah in the Legislative Council and the views I set out then I think that I would stand by and bear the closest scrutiny today.
Mr C H Tung came and saw me after the Zhuhai Preparatory Committee meeting and we discussed that conflict of interest which he felt and the correspondence exchange between us yesterday is the outcome. We're obviously.sorry to see his departure from the Executive Council, but we understand his feelings and of course respect the integrity of his decision. I'm sure that we'll be able to continue to turn to him for advice from time to time and I'm sure that he will be a very good bridge between us and the Preparatory Committee. So we regret his departure, but are very grateful for all the work that he's done for Hong Kong as a member of the Executive Council.
Question: Is there any decision on his successor?
Governor: No.
Question: You said you understand that there is a conflict of interest between the ExCo and the Preparatory Committee. There may well be other people perhaps in the Legislative Council or even in the civil service or anyone. Do you feel that, you know, they can't be serving two masters at the same time. What do you suggest they should do?