SECRETARY for Constitutional Affairs Michael Sze was cornered. Those troublesome new girls in the back row were tormenting him with awkward questions about human rights.
He decided to try a new defence technique: surrealism.
Anna Wu had asked for public consultation on human rights.
Mr Sze replied: ''This is a sort of apple pie and motherhood question.'' Legislators' eyes widened.
Mr Sze continued: ''Difficult to say no. But to say yes would commit us to the sort of undertaking whose ramifications I am not so sure. So if I may, I will give a bureaucratic answer.'' Then he plonked himself back in his seat. Members stared at Mr Sze and each other.
But Ms Wu refused to be thrown off track by the secretary's dazzling display of obscurity.