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Question: Mr Patten, some people suggest that you should shift your work to Anson Chan. What do you feel about this? Because actually the role of the British

Government is fading.

Governor: I feel what I have been answering similar questions for the last two-and-a- half years and when about 18 months ago I first said that the closer we got to 1997 the more I would want to bring forward local officials and delegate more to them. When I was saying that 18 months ago, you were saying, "who is he kidding? Why should he want to do that. He'll never do that." But I have. It's happening. It's entirely right. Local officials will be here after 1997 but alas unless there is some... alas I shan't be here. So it's entirely right to bring them forward. They are extremely good. We've got a first class team. We've localised our administration very rapidly but sensibly in the last three years and that this administration is well able to look after all the interests of Hong Kong. I can assure you even delegating more the governor is going to remain very busy between now and June 30, 1997. As you will see, as you follow him from one destination to another.

End Thursday, July 20, 1995

Public consultation on urban renewal

The Government today (Thursday) announced for public consultation a package of proposals designed to tackle problems posed by urban renewal, taking account of the needs of the people affected and the wider needs of the community for a better environment.

Releasing the consultation document at a press conference, the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, said there was a need to establish fresh policies, programmes and institutional arrangements in order to deal with the problems of urban decay in the remainder of the decade and beyond.

Mr Leung said the Government had reviewed current policy to identify ways of addressing the problems of site assembly, relocation of residents and business affected, and financial viability, as well as expediting urban renewal. The review has identified a package of proposals, which include:

improving the role of the Land Development Corporation (LDC) so that in addition to its own projects, it could act as a facilitator of projects with significant planning gains.