XN000022-1986-12-09 — Page 8

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1986

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE BY DEFENCE COMMITTEE

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THE DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, IN A RESOLUTION, EXPRESSED ITS SORROW OVER THE DEATH OF THE LATE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE.

THE RESOLUTION READS: +THAT THIS COMMITTEE EXPRESSES ITS SORROW AND DEEP SYMPATHY AT THE DEATH OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., M.B.E.+

FITTING MEMORIAL TO A GREAT GOVERNOR'

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THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, MR TIMOTHY RENTON, SAID THIS AFTERNOON THAT THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR SIR EDWARD YOUDE WAS A FITTING MEMORIAL TO +A GREAT GOVERNOR AND A GOOD FRIEND OF ALL OF US+.

HE WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG AFTER ATTENDING THE SERVICE AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

MR RENTON SAID HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY OF HIS SHORT STAY TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ACTING GOVERNOR AND ALSO WITH MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THIS MORNING.

+THEY BROUGHT ME UP-TO-DATE BRIEFLY ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AND THEY ALSO REASSURED ME OF THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE ACTING GOVERNOR.

+1 IN TURN REAFFIRMED TO THEM HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT'S DEEP COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG, + HE SAID.

WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE NEXT GOVERNOR WAS DISCUSSED, MR RENTON SAID MINISTERS WERE OBVIOUSLY GIVING THEIR FULL CONSIDERATION TO THE QUESTION OF SUCCESSION TO SIR EDWARD, WHO WILL BE A VERY HARD MAN TO REPLACE.

+WE WANT TO MAKE QUITE CERTAIN THAT WE GET THE RIGHT PERSON IN PLACE FOR THIS KEY JOB. ALL SORTS OF POSSIBILITIES WILL BE REVIEWED AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE DECISION WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS THE FULL PROCESS OF REVIEW HAS TAKEN PLACE, HE SAID.

THE MINISTER SAID HE WAS SORRY HE WAS NOT ABLE TO STAY LONGER ON THIS OCCASION. HE HAD TO GO BECAUSE OF HIS OTHER COMMITMENTS BUT HE HOPED TO BE BACK AGAIN SHORTLY.

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