TNAG-2596-FCO40-3784-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 80

Thirdly, it is essential that we remain a low tax economy in which public spending is kept under prudent control; it is right that we should be free to use some of

the wealth we generate to alleviate the problems of those stranded at society's wayside. I know how much the

community cares about the education of our children, about the environment in which we live, about the care of the

elderly, about housing. My Government will continue to attach the priority to these issues that they rightly deserve. I look forward to saying a little more on these important subjects in my speech to the Legislative Council

in October.

Fourth, I know how much concern has been expressed in

the community about law and order. Hong Kong, it is true,

is a safer city than most. But that is little comfort to

the business that has been robbed or, worse still, to the

growing numbers who have been victims of violent crime. We

shall be relentless in our fight against crime. We shall be

especially tough in our fight against violent crime. The

Royal Hong Kong Police Force do a magnificent job. They can count on the staunch support of the Governor as they go

about their difficult task. Co-operating closely with the

Chinese authorities, we shall work round the clock to beat

crime in this city.

My fifth task is perhaps the most vital and challenging

of them all.

When she spoke in a debate on Hong Kong recently in the

House of Lords, Baroness Dunn - one of Hong Kong's most

eminent citizens and the Territory's Ambassadress to the

world said that the relationship betweeen Britain and

China, and therefore the position of Hong Kong, was still

bedevilled by misunderstandings and a lack of trust.

[Trust is one of the smallest words in our language. But it is far from small either in importance or in meaning.

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