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Question: But can you just clarify what kind of difference can you see because both Executive Councillors and senior government officials are involved in the decision making of Hong Kong Government and Hong Kong Government policies?
Governor: I think that the difference should be clear to most people. A senior civil servant is running a part of the public administration. A member of the Executive Council is an advisor to the Governor. I think that puts them in a very different position and, as you know, I was perfectly content for Mr C H Tung to be a member of both the Executive Council and the Preparatory Committee, leaving it to him to reach a judgement about whether there was ever any conflict of interest.
Question: But Mr Patten, don't you think both Executive Councillors and senior government officials are in fact very sensitive positions and they shouldn't join the Selection Committee?
Governor: I've answered that question and you can ask it in lots of different ways but you'll get the same answer.
Question: Mr Patten, Chinese leaders have told the British side before that the future CE (Designate) will be one that will be acceptable to the British side, the British Government. So do you think Mr C H Tung will be acceptable to the British side?
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Governor: I don't want to comment on any individual. One candidate candidates have declared themselves, one of whom was of course the Chief Justice for many years, including under my governorship. Another candidate has said that he may declare himself in the next few weeks. He was a member of my Executive Council. So I know two of the candidates very well, but it would be wrong for me to comment on either of their abilities or on the ability of the candidate whom I don't know well that was a member of a previous Executive Council.
Question: Is that a threat to future administration that the Chief Executive has got some business background or business connection with... Is that a threat to the future administration?
Governor: I don't want to comment on the background...
Question: This is of great concern to the people in Hong Kong.
Governor: Well, but the people of Hong Kong would be very concerned if the Governor of Hong Kong appeared to be siding with one candidate or another for the Chief Executive. I think that really would concem them.