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26 APRIL 1978
Written Answers
right hon. Friend warmly welcomes this. Sir Murray MacLehose's governorship has been distinguished by outstanding achievements in Hong Kong's social and economic development which owe much to the personal leadership and dedication of the Governor himself.
Diplomatic Service (CPRS Report)
31. Mr. Gwilym Roberts asked the Sec- retary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs what representations have recently been made to him by British commercial interests about the delay in implementing the Central Policy Review Staff's report on the Diplomatic Service; and what plans he has to improve the effectiveness of commercial departments in British posts and embassies overseas.
Mr. Tomlinson: No specific representa- tions have been made about delays in implementing the CPRS's recommenda- tions concerning the export services: indeed, most representations have urged
caution.
As my hon. Friend told the House on 22nd February, Ministers are on the point of completing their collective considera- tion of the CPRS report and are paying close attention to those aspects of the report dealing with the commercial work of posts overseas. In this they are being aided by the recent report of the Defence and External Affairs Sub-Committee.
World Community Centre
32. Mr. Durant asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will take a decision on sponsoring the establishment in London of a world commodities centre, so that commodity organisations already in the United Kingdom have a clear picture of how to deal with their present accom- modation problems, and other commodity organisations such as copper and rubber which might establish their headquarters in London in the future, have an induce- ment to do so.
38. Mr. Knox asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the progress being made by the inter- departmental group set up by his Depart- ment to look into the possibility of a world commodities centre being estab- lished in London.
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Mr. Luard: I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Wallasey
Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker).
Israel (Foreign Minister)
33. Mr. Goodiad asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when next he plans to meet the Israeli Foreign Minister.
Dr. Owen: I hope to meet Mr. Dayan when he visits this country in early May.
Ethiopia
34. Mr. Moonman asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights recent indiscriminate killings in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Rowlands: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) on 5th April.-[Vol. 947, cc. 135-6.]
Middle East
35. Mr. Hooley asked the Secretary Affairs what efforts are being made by of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
the United Kingdom Government to maintain the momentum of peace negotia- tions in the Middle East, following the visit of President Sadat to Jerusalem.
Dr. Owen: The Government have re- mained in close contact with the parties to the negotiations since my visit to the area in February. We support efforts to reach agreement between Israel and Egypt on a declaration of principles, which would help to bring other interested parties into the peace talks.
St. Lucia
36. Miss Boothroyd asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs in view of the fact that the St. Lucia Government was elected in 1974 on a platform of independence, and that two years have elapsed since the Government of St. Lucia first sought to terminate associated status with Her Majesty's Government, if he will make a statement on his policy towards independence for St. Lucia.
Mr. Rowlands: I held talks last month with the St. Lucia Government and