XN000022-1992-06-22 — Page 2

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1992

GOVERNOR-DESIGNATE WANTS TO KEEP GOVT STRUCTURE INTACT

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THE GOVERNOR-DESIGNATE, MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WANTS TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION VERY MUCH AS IT IS AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

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SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN FROM LONDON WHERE HE HAD LONG MEETINGS WITH MR PATTEN, SIR DAVID SAID THEY DISCUSSED ALL THE CURRENT ISSUES.?

THESE INCLUDED POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES, PRIORITIES AS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE GOING IN THE NEXT YEARS IN TERMS OF SOCIAL POLICY AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

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"MR

PATTEN HAS COLLECTED A LOT OF INFORMATION. OBVIOUSLY BEEN READING A GREAT DEAL; HE'S BEEN TALKING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. BUT HE VERY MUCH WANTS TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON ALL THOSE SUBJECTS AND WHEN HE COMES HERE HE WANTS TO CONTINUE HIS CONVERSATION, CONTINUE READING AND GATHERING INFORMATION BEFORE HE MAKES UP HIS MIND ON OF THE KEY ISSUES AHEAD," SIR DAVID SAID.

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THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH MR PATTEN ALSO INCLUDED PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE GOVERNOR-DESIGNATE'S ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG AND HIS PROGRAMME FOR HIS FIRST FEW MONTHS.

"WE TALKED ABOUT HIS WORKING STYLE AND OUR WORKING STYLE; WHAT SORT OF MEETINGS HE LIKES TO HAVE AND STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS. AND IN CONNECTION WITH THAT, MR PATTEN MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE DOES NOT INTEND TO BRING ANY MORE STAFF OTHER THAN THE TWO PERSONAL ADVISERS HE'S BRINGING WITH HIM, WHO AS YOU KNOW WILL JOIN THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE STAFF AND BE PART OF THE TEAM, HE SAID.

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DAVID SAID HE WAS SADDENED BY THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF NG MING-YUM AND SENT HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY.

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"STEPHEN NG WAS A VERY FINE YOUNG POLITICIAN; ONE OF THE NEW BREED WHO WAS MAKING SUCH A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG AND IT IS VERY SAD THAT HE SHOULD DIE AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE, HE SAID.

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