XN000022-1995-10-20 — Page 3

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Transcript of the Governor's doorstep interview

Following is the transcript of the doorstep interview by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, following meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Michael Heseltine, in London today (Friday):

Governor: Good morning, I had a very interesting meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Heseltine, who is an old friend and colleague. We had about an hour and 20 minutes together. It is the first of a number of meetings I am having with senior Ministers and officials during my visit to London.

Next week I will be seeing the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, other Foreign Office officials and one or two other Ministers, and of course I have a couple of important speeches about Hong Kong business beginning on Monday morning - I am sure you will be there! - the Trade Development Council dinner on Thursday and three public lectures in between. Quite a busy programme!

Question: Did you discuss the PWC's (Preliminary Working Committee) recent proposals regarding the Bill of Rights?

Governor: I mentioned those to Mr Heseltine. He had obviously read about them himself. I will be raising them of course principally with the Foreign Secretary and officials who are very concerned, but I will be talking to the Prime Minister about them as well.

Question: Did you discuss right of abode issues?

Governor: We talked about the whole range of JLG issues, so that included the right of abode and visa-free access and so on. Again, that is the sort of agenda I will be having with other Ministers during the week.

Question: And did Mr Heseltine generally agree with the statement you have put forward on these issues?

Governor: I always think it is dangerous when one comes out of meetings to put words into other people's mouths, but, as ever, we had a good meeting. He knows Hong Kong very well. He is very concerned, as we all are, to ensure that Hong Kong is as successful in the future as it has been up to date and so is concerned to ensure that the Joint Declaration is fully implemented.

Thank you very much.

End/Friday, October 20, 1995