XN000022-1996-04-18 — Page 21

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CS: Mr Lu reaffirmed that civil servants should remain politically neutral and should remain loyal and dedicated to serving the people of Hong Kong. This will be so before 1997. Of course, after 1997, civil servants will be loyal and will serve the SAR Government and the people of Hong Kong.

first Question: Chief Secretary. Thank you very much for coming to see us. Can you sum up for us please in English which you've already said and then I have a question?

CS: I thought I did the summing up already at the start of this brief press... Yes. Let me attempt a summing up in a different way. I thought this was a very useful discussion. It gave me an opportunity to put forward certain views frankly. I think that they were... that both Mr Lu and Mr Zhou listened very attentively to what I have to say.

I think they are well aware of civil service concerns. They are anxious to explore with us and to agree with us the areas in which we can co-operate so that we can achieve a smooth transition and not make life difficult for civil servants. One question, you said.

Question: You said that you agreed to set aside the differences. But in the course of the discussion, were there some disagreements between you?

CS: I think clearly there is a difference of opinion on the provisional legislature. But as I said, both sides' position is quite clear.

Question: Do you agree to co-operate selectively on certain matters?

CS: We have agreed to set aside our differences and to explore areas in which we can co-operate. And we both want to co-operate because that is... that will help us to ensure a smooth transition. It is what the people of Hong Kong wish to see and that is what we will try and achieve. Okay. Thank you all very much.

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Information code to be extended

Seven more government agencies will be subject to the Code on Access to Information from Monday (April 22), the Government announced today (Thursday).

"This will bring the total number of government agencies covered by the Code to 82. The Code will be extended to the remaining agencies by the end of this year," a spokesman for the Efficiency Unit of the Government Secretariat said.