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WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Wednesday 6th August 1975'
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Canadian Foreign Minister
4. Mr. Russell Johnston asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the Foreign Minister of Canada.
Mr. James Callaghan: I expect to meet Mr. MacEachen at the United Nations General Assembly in September; when he comes to Britain to inaugurate the Chair of Canadian Studies at Edin- burgh University in October; and at the December meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers.
Portugal (Foreign Minister)
14. Mr. Whitehead asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to meet the Foreign Minister of Portugal.
Mr. James Callaghan: The composition of the new Portuguese Government has not yet been announced. Major Antunes came here for talks on 27th June. My right hon. Friend and I had the oppor- tunity to talk with President Costa Gomes at Helsinki.
Turkey (Foreign Minister)
15. Mr. Brotherton asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next pians to meet the Foreign Minister of Turkey.
Mr. James Callaghan: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I met the Prime Minister of Turkey and Mr. Caglayangi for bilateral discussions in Helsinki last week. I have no current plans to see him again.
Hong Kong
16. Mr. Goodhew asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give statistics to illus- trate the impact of the operations depart- ment of the Independent Commission against Corruption in Hong Kong.
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Mr. Eanals: Over 7,000 reports were made during the 12 months ended June 1975; 3,408 concerned corruption, an in- crease of 133 per cent. over the 12-month period preceding the establishment of the ICAC. 191 arrests were made during the same period, resulting in 121 convictions.
17. Mr. Hal Miller asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of staff grade C posts and above in the Hong Kong Gov- ernment Service is held by local recruits; and whether he will make a statement on the recruitment of expatriate civil
servants.
Mr. Ennals: Twenty per cent. in the Administrative Service and 25 per cent. in the Government service as a whole. For the administrative class as a whole the percentage is 45 per cent. Recruit- ment policy is based on the appointment, where possible, of suitably qualified local candidates. Recruitment of expatriates is undertaken only when such local can- didates are not available in sufficient numbers, and in certain categories, to maintain the special relationship with Britain.
Mr. Goodhew asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will encourage the Govern- ment of Hong Kong to consider legalising the less harmful types of gambling in order to contribute towards the removal of corruption.
Mr. Ennals: Corruption opportunities are only one factor to be considered. Before changes are made in Hong Kong's gambling legislation account must also be taken of local social attitudes. Off- course betting was legalised in 1973; and a Bill to widen the scope of lottery operations is under consideration.
Mr. Goodhew asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to secure the co-operation of the public in the work of the independent commission against corruption in Hong Kong; and with what result.
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