MVSACI
ORAL PQ BY THE LORD BOYD-CARPENTER FOR ANSWER ON 11 FEBRUARY
Supplementaries
WHY THE DELAY IN ANNOUNCING SUCCESSOR?
- Sir David Wilson will have served five years as Governor of Hong Kong by April. He has done, and continues to do, an excellent job. He has the Government's full confidence, as the honour accorded to him amply demonstrates. It was never the intention that he should serve until 1997. Appropriate to make it known that he is expected to retire before the end of the year at same time as announcing his peerage.
(If Pressed)
My noble friend Lord MacLehose of Beoch said in the excellent debate on Hong Kong on 29 January, that his retirement was announced four months before he retired and the name of his successor announced one month before he retired. Did Hong Kong no harm.
GOVERNOR NOW A LAME DUCK?
Absolutely not. As we have made clear many times, Sir David Wilson has the full confidence of the
Government. He has made clear that he will continue to work flat out in the interests of Hong Kong.
SLAP IN THE FACE FOR HONG KONG?
Not at all:
-
Present Governor continues to work vigorously for Hong Kong.
- The Government intends to select another strong and effective Governor. Right time to do this will probably be after the General Election
Meanwhile, we are taking careful note of Hong Kong
views.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.