One of the reasons for the lack of interest is that the British are no longer powerful. Practical, hard-nosed Hong Kong people, including many Legco members, gravitate toward power.

That means they look to the incoming sovereign and the newly appointed Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Preparatory Committee (PC) for favours, concessions, contracts and patronage. Many have long turned against the British by sucking up to Beijing.

Another reason why Legco members are fed up with visiting ministers is their non-answers, which amount to an insult to members' intelligence. Former foreign secretary Douglas Hurd and former minister with special responsibility for Hong Kong Alastair Goodlad were past masters.

When confronted with difficult questions, they promised to provide written answers at a later date, but none have ever been received. Such untrustworthiness breeds cynicism and contempt.

Given these unpleasant experiences, the general feeling among Legco members about raising anything with the British Government is that it is a waste of time - either because they are not in a position to deliver or because they simply refuse to do it.

With the former, one can at least understand, but the latter is unforgivable and unconscionable. However, although knowing it is a Herculean task, members are still determined to raise the intractable problem of British citizenship for the 3.5 million Hong Kong British subjects.

It is not an idle attempt to prick the seemingly non-existent British conscience, but a relentless reminder that it is Britain's moral responsibility. The issue, like a bad penny, will keep turning up.

The foreign secretary needs no reminder that Hong Kong is solidly behind this long-standing demand, including Governor Chris Patten. We simply will not take no for an answer.

Another issue of concern is the exclusion of the pro-democracy group from the PC. This signals China's determination to silence critics and isolate, attack and punish all who refuse to toe the Beijing line. It bodes ill for future pluralistic participation in politics and points to severe restrictions on freedom of expression. How much of this does the foreign secretary know or care? Tomorrow Mr Rifkind will fly to Beijing for talks with the Chinese Government. According to press reports, the main issue which preoccupies the British Government is the handover ceremony and whether Mr Patten can play a prominent role. These trivial matters are a million miles removed from the more weighty concerns of the Hong Kong people.

TO many of us, such incongruity is so sickening that it is not even funny, although most of the news media reported it without comment. Such an attitude shows the British Government's complete lack of appreciation for the Hong Kong people's anxiety and is an affront to any upstanding human being's sense of decency.

British politicians have repeatedly said Britain would like to withdraw from Hong Kong with honour. In order to do so, it must regain the local people's respect and good will.

There is no denying that the British administration has contributed significantly to Hong Kong's stability, prosperity and free lifestyle. But many of these things which the Hong Kong people have worked so hard to achieve are now at stake and the British appear not to know or care. Instead all they seem to be concerned about is a grand and dignified exit and continuing good relations with China.

If the British do not handle the final phase of the transition properly, they may end up with a hollow ceremony watched by several million abandoned and embittered people.