521
WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Thursday 26th May 1977
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
AFFAIRS
United States (Her Majesty's Ambassador)
30. Mr. William Hamilton asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many pro- tests he has received against the recent appointment of Her Majesty's Govern- ment's next Ambassador to the United States of America.
Dr. Owen: I have received 33 letters since 12th May, of which 14 were critical and 15 supported the appointment.
British Youth Council
Mr. Tim Smith asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the written assurance given to the British Youth Council on 31st March 1977 that a total of £6,933 was being transferred to the council, if he will now make arrangement for the payment of this sum less the £2,600 instalment already paid.
Mr. Luard: As I told the hon. Member on 20th May, parliamentary approval has yet to be sought for the proposed grant in aid. It has been possible to make an advance of £2,600, and the balance in respect of the period to 30th Septem- ber will be paid as soon as Parliament has approved the Summer Supplementary Estimate. Correspondence between my right hon. Friend's Department and the British Youth Council on matters of administration cannot override the requirement for such approval.
Hong Kong
Mr. Ron Lewis asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to increase the maximum fine for illegally employing children aged under 14 years in industry in Hong Kong.
*
Mr. Luard: Legislation was passed on 4th May 1977 to increase the maximum fine for the illegal employment of child- ren aged under 14 years in industrial undertakings from HK$5,000 to HK$10,000.
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Brussels (Fire)
522
Mrs. Hayman asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the Belgian Gov- ernment for a report into the fire disaster in Brussels on 22nd May in which at least eight Britons died.
Mr. Judd: Yes. The Belgian authori- ties have already started an inquiry into the cause of the fire.
Uganda
Mr. Wigley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recommend the suspension of Uganda from the Commonwealth pending further investigation by an independent body such as Amnesty International or the United Nations of allegations recently made about events in that country.
Mr. Rowlands: I would refer the hon. Member to my answer on 2nd March.- [Vol. 927, c. 228]-The issue of the ex- pulsion, or suspension, of a country from the Commonwealth has far reaching im- plications, and would require very care ful consideration by all members of the Commonwealth.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
Commissioners (Pay)
Mr. Marten asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will express in £ sterling the net annual income of an EEC Commissioner exclusively from his income from that office and excluding other income, based on his basic salary, less household allow. ance, dependent children allowance, education allowance for two dependent children, social security payments, after taxation (wife not working) and including his residence and entertainment allow- ances; and if he will also express in £ sterling his annual retirement pension based on five years' service.
Mr. Judd : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 24th May-[Vol. 932. c. 429-30]. As to pensions, the position is that a member of the Com- mission retiring after five years' service
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DATE...26/5/27
COL. ....$21W
VOL. 932
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