XN000022-1996-05-31 — Page 4

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Question:... justification to build the aids centre ... near the petitioners' homes ...?

Governor: As you know, the Administration has had a number of meetings with them, has explained the position to them, has tried to be as accommodating as possible. There're sometimes objections to the development of health facilities, of polyclinics and so on. But if we want improved health care for people in Hong Kong, then we have to invest in the facilities that are required in order to improve the services.

Question: That means the Government is not going to listen to ...?

Governor: That means has listened to them, I would guess, as much as it has ever listened to anybody. But at the end of the day, the Government has to govern in the interest of the whole community.

Question: You did receive two letters from them...?

Governor: Four, I think. But I'll be studying them when I get back to the office.

Question: What about the court case terminated in the High Court? Do you think anybody need to resign ...?

Governor: I think it was an incredibly distressing case. I read one or two of the newspaper editorials about the case this morning with very considerable sympathy. I think all of us feel profoundly distressed that a fourteen-year-old girl went through this awful experience. But at the end of the day, the case had to be adjourned, for reasons for which you've all familiar. I think we must all learn lesson from it. As you know, the Attorney has apologised to that reservation for what's happened. The DPP, the Director of Public Prosecution, has also made his views clear and has apologised. And I apologise on behalf of the whole Government and on behalf of anybody who might have been remotely responsible for what has been a very worrying experience for this girl. I hope that it doesn't affect her too profoundly and I hope that she'll be able to live, to get on with her life at some stage.

Question: Do you think that the prosecutor or AG needs to resign?

Governor: I'm not sure how that would help the young girl in question. But we've, without reservation, apologised for what's happened and I apologise myself without any hesitation at all for the totally unnecessary distress which this poor fourteen-year- old girl was caused.

Question: (inaudible)