71
Written Answers
25
13 OCTOBER 1969
Written Answers
12
Departmental Staff
Hong Kong
State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider creating in Hong Kong a city council in place of the existing urban council giving it greater responsibility in regard to finance and administration.
Mr. Arthur Lewis asked the Secretary + Mr. Rankin asked the Secretary of of State for Foreign adu Com...nwealth Affairs whether he will give a list of people in his Department who, addi- tionally to Sir Con O'Neill, have, during the past two years, resigned their appoint- ment and been re-appointed to the same graded post at the same salary; what are the reasons in each case; and to what extent this practice affects advancement in the promotion of those who remain in the Departme ̈-
Mr. George Thomson: No officers have resigned their appointment in the Diplomatic Service and been reinstated on the same terms during the period in question.
Union of Arab Emirates
Mr. Biggs-Davison asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the progress of Her Majesty's Gov- ernment's steps to bring about a Union of Arab Emirates.
Mr. M. Stewart The Union of Arab Emirates has in fact been formally set up for over 18 months. \From the outset, we have given and will continue to give the Union full support and encouragement, together with advice as and when requested. We hope that the next meeting of the Union, on 21st October, will serve ¡ to consolidate the preparatory work which
has been done.
Suez Canal
(Detained British Ships)
Mr. Biggs-Davison asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the purpose and result of the latest Ministerial visit to Cairo; and what progress was made thereby in securing the release of the British ships illegally confined in the Suez Canal.
Mr. M. Stewart: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster visited Cairo as the guest of the United Arab Republic Government and had useful discussions with President Nasser and other personalities. The ships were among the subjects discussed, but the military situation along the Canal makes progress in securing their release difficult at present.
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Mr. Foley: The Governor is now formulating proposals for a degree of reorganisation of the local administration in the colony. These will include pro- posals relating to the constitution, func- tions, powers and responsibilities of the urban council.
Mr. Anthony Grey
Mr. Wall-asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what compensation will be given by Her Majesty's Government to Mr. Anthony Grey \in view of the fact that his im- prisonment was due to events in Hong Kong.
Mr. Foley: It is cause for the deepest satisfaction that Mr. Grey's long ur justified detention by the Chinese au- orities has ended. I appreciate thon. Member's suggestion that we should pay tribute to the fortitude and courage of Mr. Grey. I shall be considering in what way we can most appropriately show our admiration.
European Convention on Establishment
Mr. Ellis asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty' Government have now decided to ratify the European Con- vention on Establishment.
Mr. Foley: Yes; Her Majesty's Gov- ernment have decided to, ratify the Convention. The instrument of ratifica- tion has been sent to Strasbourg to be deposited with the Secretariat of the Council of Europe.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency
Mr. Judd asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to assist in over- coming the financial crisis in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
Mr. Foley: We consider that VUN.R.W.A.'s financial problems could
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