XN000022-1995-06-14 — Page 3

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Question: An ATV poll said that the majority of people did not understand or what would like in the agreement...... the one carried out very recently.

Governor: I haven't seen that poll....

Question: What is your reaction to the fact that the majority of people did not like or understand the Bill?

Governor: I want to see the poll and study it before I react to it.

Question: Do you think the Chinese side can set up their own ...Without passing the Bill in Legco, do you think the Chinese side can set up their own Court of Final Appeal?

Governor: If there isn't a bill passed in the Legislative Council and we don't secure acceptance for the bill we put forward, then there is inevitably going to be a rupture in Hong Kong's arrangements because we won't be able to move ahead in the smooth way which we were hoping for and there is bound to be some sort of gap in 1997 before a court can be set up. But I hope that won't happen.

Question: Shall we talk about, changing topic now to special education. There is obviously a motion before Legco today accusing the government of not doing enough. What is your reaction to that? Is the government doing enough?

Governor: Yes. We're doing more but I can understand that particularly parents with children with difficulties will always want the government to do more. So it is not an issue on which one can ever be complacent. I've been particularly concerned as you know to ensure that we meet the targets that we set for ourselves in relation to all the handicapped including handicapped children and mentally handicapped children in 1992, when we brought forward the Green Paper on Rehabilitation targets which have previously been for 10 years to 5 years, so we can provide the day care places and the hostel places that are required by 1997. We're now back on course in delivering on those targets and that of course has implications for the educational service and the provision of places for those with particular difficulties in our schools as well. One of the problems that we face which I saw this afternoon is that it's not always just a question of places. It's also a question of providing the services that are required in schools, for example, the occupational therapy and the physiotherapy as well. That's something we need to address in addition to the basic question of places.

Question: Do you agree that with the improved Sino-British relation, the adaptation of law could be solved afterward?