XN000022-1996-03-02+03 — Page 10

You know, Prime Minister, how tough and how difficult are the challenges that we face in Hong Kong. The last time you came here you were hotfoot from Peking where you had just signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Airport. While it is true that things did not subsequently work out quite as smoothly as we had all hoped I speak with my usual mixture of euphemism and diplomatic tact we nevertheless just got on with things and built the airport anyway, and you were able to see the spectacular results today.

—

J

I think that's typical of Hong Kong. Whatever the challenges, Hong Kong manages to rise to them so that today we remain one of the most successful, one of the most prosperous and one of the most decent cities in the world. I'm optimistic that Hong Kong with its magnificent civil service will work its way just as successfully through the problems of the next few years.

In managing the transition, in managing this unique enterprise, both Britain and China face very difficult tasks. I want to thank you personally, Prime Minister. for the generous and unequivocal support that you've given to us in Hong Kong since I've been Governor. We couldn't have asked for more and I think it's particularly valuable that the question of Hong Kong and its future has never been allowed to become a matter of cross-party controversy at Westminster.

-

-

I know, Prime Minister, that you will be making your principal speeches in Hong Kong tomorrow, talking to the Legislative Council and talking to the Chambers of Commerce at lunch and then addressing an open press conference later in the day. And I also suspect in fact I know that you share with me an antipathy to spoiling the digestive process by making lengthy speeches after dinner. But we would all be grateful if on what may be the last occasion on which a British Prime Minister visits this house under British sovereignty, we would all be very grateful if you would say a few words to us this evening. Thank you.

End

Page 10Page 11