(23)
Written Answers
31 JANUARY 1977
which embody genuine humanitarian benefit, are based on unambiguous scien tific evidence and are acceptable to mili- tarily significant States.
Mr. Robin F. Cook asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Govern- ment accept the Diplomatic Conference as an appropriate context for an agree ment on the prohibition of conventional weapons which are contrary to humani- tarian law.
¿
Mr. Luard: Yes, provided that this does not impede the primary task of the Conference which is to conclude two Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the Protection of Vic- tims of War. i;
+
Rhodesia -
Written Answers
74
place between the Hong Kong Govern- ment and the Heung Yee Kuk.
*
Mr. Luard: The Heung Yee Kuk's proposals for an administrative council for the New Territories were rejected oG the grounds that a separate administra, tion for the New Territories would be a wasteful and retrograde step in view of the continuing integration of the New Territories with the economic and social life of Hong Kong. The proposals have been discussed both formally by corre spondence. and informally between the Hong Kong Government Secretary for New Territories and the Heung Yee Kuk.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report At the amount of compensation paid to New Territories, residents. in. Hong Kong arising from military activity in each of the past five years in the following cate gories: discharge of arms and ammuni tion, damage to property, livestock and crops, personal injury and alteration of Fung Shui and other causes. watc
~ Mr. Brotherton asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost to public funds to the latest possible date of the Rhodesian settlement talks.
Mr. Tomlinson: Although the exact cost of the Rhodesia conference will not be known until all bills have been met and expenditure brought to account it is estimated that up to 26th January ex- penditure will have amounted to about £320,000.
Hong Kong
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what areas of the New Territories are devoted to military use, stating in each case the location, purpose, area involved The nature of Le of rent paid.
amount
Mr. Luard: 46 areas of the New Ter-
ritories_are_devoted to military use. I regret that the remainder of the informa- tion requested is not yet available. I will arrange for it to be sent to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds the Heung Yee Kuk's proposals for creating a New Territories Administration Committee in Hong Kong have been rejected; and whether discussion of these proposals has taken
9 G 13
Mr. Luard: The Hong Kong Govern- ment maintain records of compensation payments relating only to Hong Kong as a whole. However, it is estimated that compensation payments to residents of the New Territories are as follows:
(a) Payments in respect of traffic acci- dents, including those which resulted in personal injury, of which approximately 50 per cent. involved New Territories' residents:
1972-73
1973-74-
1974-75
1975-76
1976-77 (to date)
£
12,470
6,360
17,030
33,040
(b) Payments in respect of damage to property, livestock and crops arising from training and manoeuvres, including the discharge of arms and ammunition 100 involved New Territories'
per cent. residents:
1972-73
1973-74
1974-75
1975-76
1976-77 (to date)
(c) Payments in respect matters, including personal
of
£
5,811
7,792.
4,650 1,470
1,112.
other
injury, of
DATE
..3111177
COL, ..33.1.74.
VOL. 92.5
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