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DATE 291175 COL.16.1..... VOL 885
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Written Answers
29 JANUARY 1975 impulse to British exports to the Soviet Union and to the development of Anglo- Soviet trade as a whole.
Hong Kong (Government)
26. Mr. Clemitson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Gov- ernment have for developing democratic forms of government in the Crown colony of Hong Kong.
Mr. Ennals: The special circumstances of Hong Kong make very difficult any constitutional progress on the path nor- mally followed by dependent territories. The situation is well understood locally.
Cyprus
28. Mr. Russeil Johnston asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Com- monwealth Affairs what information he has on the progress made in the talks currently taking place between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
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Mr. Hattersley: Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash, representing the two munities, have made considerable pro- gress in their discussion of humanitarian issues. They have recently started dis- cussing political issues also. This is an encouraging development, which Her Majesty's Government fully support.
33. Mr. Rees-Davies asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs, having regard to the undertaking and assistance given to the Turks to remove their citizens from Cyprus, what assurances he has obtained from the Turkish Government to co- operate in the return of Greek Cypriots to their homes; what steps will be taken to safeguard Greek Cypriot interests; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Hattersley: My right hon. Friend has represented to the Turkish Govern- ment that, although our decision on the Turkish Cypriots was taken on humani- tarian grounds and not as part of a bar- gain, a magnanimous gesture on their part towards the Greek Cypriots would now be appropriate.
35. Mr. Atkinson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to exercise their
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right as a treaty guarantor, Cyprus, to intervene in the current Clerides-Denktash talks with a view to implementing United Nations' resolutions; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Hattersley: Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash are meeting regularly. They have made considerable progress on humanitarian issues, and they have now begun to discuss the political aspects of a settlement. This is helpful. It is for the Cypriots to decide their own future, and we do not think that intervention at this stage would be helpful.
Spain
(Detained British Citizens)
29. Mr. Lee asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects domi- ciled in the United Kingdom are at present serving custodial sentences imposed by Spanish courts; in how many cases appeals are pending; what is the esti- mated average length of time required to the determination of such appeals; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr. Hattersley: According to records, 42 British subjects, citizens of the ing sentences imposed by Spanish courts. United Kingdom and Colonies, are serv Three have lodged appeals. The Spanish Ministry of Justice says that appeals are normally determined three to six months after they are lodged.
New Hebrides
30. Mr. Bryant Godınan Irvine asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the progress of constitu- tional developments in the New Hebrides.
Miss Joan Lestor: Work is proceeding in the New Hebrides on draft legislation to establish a Representative Assembly, and local government bodies. Work on elections is also in hand. It is hoped that the first local government bodies will be elected in May, and the Representative Assembly before the end of 1975.
31. Mr. Paul Dean asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further contacts he has had with the French Government about the future of the New Hebrides.
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