28 Oct
779-80
843.
779
Oral Answers
23 OCTOBER 1972
are not yet available?
Will he mean- while what was the unladen weight or
say the overall length of the ship concerned?
Mr. Kershaw: I am very glad to join my right hon. and learned Friend in his expressions of sympathy. As to the delay, he will bear in mind the very scattered nature of the territory and the fact that the search vessels concerned dis- persed after the search, and that it was necessary to get the evidence of their crews before the inquiry could be pro- perly concluded. I do not know the size of vessel but it was quite small. I under- stand that it is likely that Mr. Adams fell overboard where a rail was missing. but I cannot say with certainty whether that is so. Unfortunately, Mr. Adams was not a swimmer.
Hong Kong
28. Mr. Blaker asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his recent official visit to Hong Kong.
Mr. Anthony Royle: My right hon. Friend paid an official visit to Hong Kong in February last and plans to pass through Hong Kong on 2nd-3rd November on his way back from China. I am looking forward to visiting Hong Kong from 11th to 15th November. I shall be having wide-ranging discussions with the Gover- nor, officials and leading members of the community.
Mr. Blaker: Is my hon. Friend aware that that information will be very wel- come? As half the population of Hong Kong are under 21 years of age, will my hon. Friend give particular attention dur- ing his visit to policies designed to cap- ture the imagination of the young people?
Mr. Royle: I share my on. Friend's views about this. The Governor is to provide increasing opportunities for all young people in all fields.
Mr. Pavitt: Will the hon. Gen'i`man take a special look at the develo....nent that has gone on in co-operatives for fishermen in Hong Kong, with a view to advising his right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development of further help that he might be able to give to that excellent development?
38 C 15
Min Kell
Oral Answers
h
2
сору
780
Mr. Royle: I shall certainly look into that whilst I am in the colony.
Northern Ireland
35. Mr. Biggs-Davison asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Minister to the Holy See made to the Vatican on the Irish problem; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Anthony Royle: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had the oppor- tunity to discuss Northern Ireland with His Holiness the Pope during their meet- Majesty's Minister to the Holy See keeps ing on Wednesday, 4th October.
the Vatican fully informed about developments in Northern Ireland.
Her
Mr. Biggs-Davison: While the visit of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the Pope was most welcome, is not the fullest understanding with the Holy See on these grave problems most important? Therefore, is this not a time when the Government might reconsider the status of the British mission?
Mr. Royle: I told the House on 27th March in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John- Stevas) that I am keeping the matter under review. I do not wish to forecast at this stage. Relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Holy Sce remain cordial, and I am not aware that our Minister to the Holy See is in any way hindered in his activities by his present status.
Mr. St. John-Stevas: Does my hon. Friend recall that he and his numerous predecessors in that office have been reviewing this matter for at least six years? Would it be reasonable to expect something to emerge within a reasonable time from this examination in such detail?
Mr. Royle: It would be reasonable, but I do not think it will be possible.
World Darmament Conference
38. Mr. Peter Archer asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs what reply he has sent to the
Secretary-General of the United Nations in response to his invitation to offer views and suggestions relating to a world disarmament conference.
Qa A sett Qa.A
dary Kas Tank
Еда
う
2670
180
to 412
and pa
PMI
26/10