TNAG-1331-FCO40-1758-Future-of-Hong-Kong-test-of-the-acceptability-of-the-Joint-D-1984 — Page 268

the draft agreement acceptable." The agreement was endorsed by all the principal representative bodies in Hong Kong, including the

Executive, Legislative and Urban Councils, the Heung Yee Kuk and all

eighteen District Boards. The overwhelming majority of

organisations and groups which expressed their views found the draft

agreement acceptable. Of the just over 1,000 individuals who

clearly stated their views 677 accepted the agreement and 364

rejected it. The overall picture from reports by and through the media was one of general acceptance. The findings of various independent opinion surveys also indicated general acceptance of the

agreement. In an independent survey of 6,124 respondents 81% stated

that they thought the agreement was very good or quite good.

5.

The report notes that the overall acceptance of the agreement has in many cases been accompanied by expressions of concern and

anxiety about its implementation. It summarises the comments made

on every aspect of the Joint Declaration by those who have discussed

it. The comments focussed in particular on the drafting of the

Basic Law, the question of nationality and defence.

The report suggests that these views will be of value to Parliament, and also

in the discussions between Britain and China in the Joint Liaison

Group on the implementation of the agreement.

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING TEAM

6. The report of the independent Monitoring Team was presented to

the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by Sir

Patrick Nairne and Mr Justice Simon Li Fook-sean on 24 November.

7.

The terms of reference of the Monitoring Team were to observe the work of the Assessment Office and to report independently of the

report of the Office, stating whether it was satisfied that the Assessment Office had properly, accurately and impartially discharged its duties and faithfully followed the procedures prescribed in its terms of reference.

The Monitors audited the day to day work of the Assessment Office. They were given full access to the Assessment Office's

8.