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currency are taken within Hong Kong and by Hong Kong.
20. For its part the British Government will continue to provide the framework within which the Hong Kong
Government can administer Hong Kong and plan for its future so long as our responsibility for the territory
continues. I can assure honourable Members that there will be no lame duck administration in Hong Kong.
21. As regards the timescale, we are aware of the Chinese desire that an announcement about future
arrangements for Hong Kong should be made in September. We are working to a timetable in the talks which
takes account of Chinese wishes but also of all our own requirements. The people of Hong Kong will need to
know the terms of the agreement and have time to express their views: and Parliament will wish to take
account of those views when they come to debate the agreement. As far as the British Government are
concerned, it is of course Parliament which must make the final decision. For the Government's part I can
assure the House that we are not simply seeking agreement for its own sake, nor would we be prepared to
recommend a package which we believed would be regarded as inadequate.
:
22. Let me sum up the position. We are still engaged in complex and challenging negotiation. We are
working for an agreement which will ensure a high degree of continuity for Hong Kong under Chinese
sovereignty: which will preserve the essentials of the present systems and way of life in Hong Kong: and will
be acceptable to the people of Hong Kong. We face the reality of the ending in 1997 of the lease over 92% of
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