HC Deb 26 April 1989 vol 151 cc543-4W
Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the role and duties of the governor of Hong Kong.

Mrs. Chalker

The governor is the personal representative of the Queen in Hong Kong. He is responsible to the Secretary of State. He directs the administration of Hong Kong and is the commander-in-chief of the British forces stationed in Hong Kong. As head of the Hong Kong Government he presides at meetings of the Executive Council. He is also president of the Legislative Council.

Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to promote United Kingdom interests in Hong Kong after 1997.

Mrs. Chalker

Our interests will be principally met by the effective implementation of the Joint Declaration and the maintenance of Hong Kong as an international financial and commercial centre. Against this background we are encouraging the private sector to build on our existing commercial successes in Hong Kong both as an important market in its own right and as an export centre for the Asia Pacific region. We will continue to foster our cultural links with the territory. We are actively preparing to establish a British consulate-general for the promotion of our interests in Hong Kong after 1997.

Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the objectives of Government policy on Hong Kong.

Mrs. Chalker

Our prime objective is the continued stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and its people. To this end we are committed to fulfil our responsibility for the administration of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997 and to ensure the full and faithful implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong. We also aim to foster and strengthen Britain's commercial and other links with Hong Kong up to and beyond 1997.