The first tier of the elections, to the District Boards, are due in September next year. Already the timing is becoming tight. We should proceed in an orderly and measured way, preserving the possibility of continuity beyond 1997.
WILL YOU NOW BE PUTTING THE GOVERNOR'S ORIGINAL PROPOSALS TO LEGCO?
We want the talks to continue on the issues not covered in the interim legislation to be introduced next week. Hence premature to speculate what the shape of eventual draft legislation on those issues would be.
WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE THROUGH TRAIN?/SMOOTH TRANSITION
We continue to believe that continuity and a smooth transfer of Government in 1997 is in the best interests of Hong Kong.
Our aim remains electoral arrangements which are consistent with the Basic Law. In that case no reason not to have a through train.
CHINESE THREATS TO MAKE OWN ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1997/ROLE OF PREPARATORY WORK GROUP?
Chinese leaders say they will abide by the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. That is the key point.
Under the Joint Declaration, Britain is responsible for administering Hong Kong up to July 1997, and the Chinese Government is committed to giving its cooperation in this connection.
WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM OVER APPOINTED SEATS?
We and the Chinese side agree that appointed seats should disappear from the Legislative Council as from the 1995 elections. Only logical that they should also go from the subsidiary bodies.
We thought we had reached an understanding in the talks allowing us to abolish appointed seats in the 1994-95 elections, and leaving it to the future Special Administrative Region to decide on its own whether to reinstate any.
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS ON OTHER ISSUES?
Still hope for further talks, so do not want to get into details.
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