29
Oral Answers
5 MAY 1969
Mr. Goronwy Roberts: The Hong Kong Government are prospective share- holders in a limited company known as the Cross Harbour Tunnel Company to which they have awarded a franchise for the construction of a tunnel between Hong Kong Island and the mainland. That company, having recently reached agreement in principle with Lloyds Bank on the provision of loan finance, is now proceeding to detailed negotiations with a consortium led by Costain Civil Engineering Limited and hope that the contract will be signed this month.
Mr. Atkins: Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Export Credits Guarantee Department has agreed to under-write this project? Does he realise that the people of Hong Kong are eagerly waiting for some practical sign like this of the Government's faith in the political future of the colony?
Mr. Roberts: It would be better if the hon. Member were to put down a Ques- tion to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.
Mr. Atkins: He will not accept it.
Mr. Roberts: In that case I shall bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman has said and convey it with due force to my right hon. Friend.
2.
European Economic Community (Commission Regulations)
35. Mr. Molloy asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost to public funds of the translation and publication of regu- lations issued by the Commission of the European Economic Community in Brus- sels; and how long this service will be continued.
Mr. M. Stewart: The cost to public funds of translating and reproducing regulations and other documents issued by the European Economic Communities is estimated at £32,000 in 1969. service will continue indefinitely.
The
Mr. Molloy :/Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this is now unneces- sary expenditure? Does not he think that he should collaborate with some of his right hon. Friends-especially the Minister/for Social Security and other Ministers in his Department-to see if this could make a contribution towards preventing other harsh measures which may be envisaged?
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Oral Answers
30
Mr. Stewart: I cannot agree that this is an unnecessary service. The Com- munity-whatever our relationship to if is one of our major trading partners and we must be fully cognizant of the legis- lation of the Community. Moreover, as an applicant for membership it is par- ticularly essential that we should keep abreast of all developments.
Mr. Kirk: Is not this £32,000/ an ex- tremely cheap way of informing British businessmen of the sort of situation that they may face when trading in the Com- munity?
Mr. Stewart: We have taken care to see that it is run with maximum efficiency at the lowest cost.
United Nations
Disarmament Committee
37. Mr. Hector Hughes/asked the Sec- retary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the work of the United Nations Disarmament Committee.
Mr. M. Stewart: The Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee is considering further arms control measures in the nuclear and non-nuclear fields, to follow up the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Par- ticular attention is being paid to the questions of a comprehensive nuclear test ban, arms control on the seabed, and a ban on biological methods of warfare. Further details were given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State in his speech to the Committee on 17th April, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Hughes: I thank my right hon. Friend for that comprehensive answer. Does he realise that the work referred to in the Question is symbolic of the best in our modern civilisation, and will he do his part in the Government to pro- mote it?
Mr. Stewart: Yes. It is true that a large proportion of the initiatives now being faken on disarmament are being taken by the British Government.
Yugoslavia Agreement (Abolition of Visas)
40. Mr. Lubbock asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to sign the agree- ment with Yugoslavia providing for the mutual abolition of visas.
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