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20 NOVEMBER 1978
mining in the Doon valley; with special reference to the lack of precise advance information to the workforce and local authorities.
..
Mr. Eadie: There are long established and well defined arrangements agreed between the board and the unions for the discussion of possible colliery closures. Any adjustment to these procedures would be for the industry to discuss with the Sec- retary of State for Energy, who has indeed made suggestions for improving them.
Rent and Rate Rebate Recipients Mr. Ovenden asked the Secretary of State for Energy what would be the cost of extending the electricity discount scheme to rent and rate rebate recipients on the same terms as apply to supple- mentary benefit recipients; and how this compares with the cost of his current pro- posals.
Dr. John Cunningham: The cost of such extension would be about £16 mil- lion compared with the total of £45 mil- lion allocated to next winter's scheme.
Opencast Coal
Mr. George Rodgers asked the Secre- tary of State for Energy how many appli- cations for opencast developments he has approved during the last three years; and in how many cases approval has been given against the recommendation of the Department of the Environment's inspec- tor who has presided at an inquiry.
Mr. Eadie Since the beginning of 1976, 50 applications have been approved, four of them after the inspector at a pub- lic inquiry had recommended refusal. In two of the latter cases, significant modifi- cations were made to the boundaries of
the sites in accordance with the inspectors' suggestions.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Cyprus
39. Mrs. Jeger asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the present situation in Cyprus, with special regard to consideration of United Nations discussions about the future of the island.
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Mr. Luard: The British Government are working for a resumption of the inter- communal negotiaions, which are essen- tial for progress towards a settlement. The British attitude at the United Nations reflects this. In my right hon. Friend's view, the resolution recently adopted in the General Assembly will not help to- wards a resumption of negotiations and the United Kingdom therefore abstained in the vote.
Hong Kong
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from elected members of the Hong Kong urban council, concerning a phasing-out of appointed members, expansion of the franchise and expansion of urban council jurisdiction; what reply be has sent ; and
if he will make a statement.
Mr. Luard: Three elected members of the Hong Kong urban council put for- ward these proposals in a letter to my right hon. and noble Friend of 24th June. In reply, they were told that we would naturally like to see appropriate moves at the right time towards a more represen- tative system of government in Hong Kong but that patience and caution are necessary when considering changes which could affect the stability and prosperity of the territory. The councillors have recently renewed their proposals. A reply
will be sent shortly.
*
Saudi Arabia (British Detainees)
Mr. Rifkind asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people normally resi- dent in Scotland are presently detained in Saudi Arabia for alleged offences relating to the sale and manufacture of alcoholic drinks.
Mr. Luard: None.
Moscow Olympics (British Citizens)
Mr. Moonman asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guarantees he has sought from the Soviet Union regarding the free- dom of movement for British visitors, contestants and the press should the 1980 Olympics take place in Moscow; and what discussions he has held with his EEC partners on the matter.
DATE
29/11/78
COL 448W
VOL 958
Hkk Oll S. No. 51
OFFICE
IND
See
1978
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Action Tren