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Transcript of the Governor's media session after rehab centre visit
Following is the transcript of the media session given by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after visiting two rehabilitation centres in Eastern District this (Wednesday) afternoon:
Governor: I have seen two extremely interesting projects this afternoon. I was very pleased to begin by seeing the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation's work at the Community Rehabilitation Network. They have got three centres now which are providing excellent support for people who are either recovering from illness or an operation or are still ill. They give them a great deal of work in the educational training and self advocacy areas and I think that we want to make sure that their future is assured for the long term in Hong Kong because they do a really first class job.
Secondly I am pleased to have seen the work done here by the Richmond Fellowship in providing a sheltered workshop for the formerly mentally ill and for those who have a moderate mental handicap. I have been particularly interested to see not just their training and the work they are doing - they're making a profit here - but also the way they're preparing those who work here for full jobs in, as it were, the outside world. They have provided a marvellous bridge for those who have suffered from mental illness or mental handicap and I am delighted that we are able to support their work.
Question: Mr Patten, concerning the Judicial Tribunal, the Judiciary has already conducted a study over the Judge Caird case and says there is nothing wrong, but yesterday you decided to set up the Judicial Tribunal. The public is quite confused as to why there is a need to set up a Judicial Tribunal.
Governor: I gave a full reply to that yesterday and I suggest you look at what I said yesterday.
Question: (on Chief Secretary's remarks on Diaoyu Islands).
Governor: I think the way people refer to them is less important than what people say about them, and what we all believe about them is that they constitute a dispute which we want to see settled amicably and as early as possible. That is the point, I think, that the Chief Secretary made repeatedly in Australia. It is a point she has made before and it is a point which I have made on occasion. You look at a map and sometimes they are called one thing and sometimes they are called another.