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Written Answers
25 JANUARY 1971
Affairs on what international organisa- tions concerned with world population control Her Majesty's Government is represented.
Mr. Kershaw: The Population Com- mission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Edu- cational, Scientific and Cultural Organi- sation, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. We also participate in the United Nations Fund for Population Activities and support the work of certain non-governmental organisations.
South Paciâc Commission
51. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part the British representative played at the last meeting of the South Pacific Commis- sion; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Kershaw: The United Kingdom Commissioner played a full part in the mecting, which was mainly concerned with the adoption of a work programme and budget. Her Majesty's Government will make a contribution to the Com- mission's 1971 budget of £76,000, an 8 per cent. increase on our 1970 contri- bution.
British Ambassador's Car, Paris
53. Mr. William Hamilton asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Com- monwealth Affairs what was the cost to public funds of repairing the damage done
to the British Ambassador's car in Paris, in December last, whilst it was being used by a Member of Parliament; and if he will inquire into the circumstances in which the car was used on that occasion.
Mr. Anthony Royle: None. The French authorities have agreed to meet the cost. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 18th December.— [Vol. 808, c. 484-5.]
Radioactive Fall-out
58. Mr. Hugh Jenkins asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs what developments there have been in the levels of radioactive
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Written Answers
12
fall-out in this country in 1970; what in- crease there has been in radioactive mate- rial in rainwater; what health hazard is involved; and what representations he is making to France and China regarding the abandonment of nuclear bomb tests.
Mr. Anthony Royle: Following is the information:
In 1969 and the first half of 1970 fission products from atmospheric nuclear tests were detected in air and rainwater but the deposition in the United Kingdom was insufficient to cause detectable levels of iodine-131 in milk. Because of variations in rainfall the relation- ship between the deposit of strontium-90 and caesium-137 in 1969 and the first half of 1970 was variable, but overall there was little change in the total deposit, the recent addi- tion approximately balancing the loss by radioactive decay of debris from past weapon tests. The impact of the recent nuclear tests is small by comparison with the effects of those which occurred in 1962-3, the health hazards from which were assessed in detail
by the Medical Research Council in 1966. No representations to other countries are proposed.
Hong Kong
59. Mr. Sillars asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an official visit to Hong Kong.
Mr. Anthony Royle: Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have plans for paying an official visit to Hong Kong in the near future.
Czechoslovak Citizens
65. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Czechoslovak citizens resident in the United Kingdom have written to him regarding assistance by Her Majesty's Government against threats of legal pro- ccedings against them by the Czecho- slovak authorities because they are resid- ing in this country, coupled with threats of financial extortion against relatives in Czechoslovakia; and what replies he has
sent.
Mr. Anthony Royle: None.
Syria
66. Mr. Madel asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects diplomatic rela- tions to be resumed between Great Britain and Syria.
Rust
Pe.
DATE 25.1.71.
COL.
VOL.
12w
8101
A
Nang King
A Nay
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