31
Written Answers
Written Answers
32
various economic, scientific and cultural questions affecting the Mediterranean.
13 MARCH 1978 made at Belgrade, I emphased the Gov- ernment's desire that the meeting should end constructively, with all the parti- cipants subscribing to a balanced and sub- stantial concluding document. The meet- ing proceeded throughout by consensus and in the event this proved impossible. Western countries were prepared to nego- tiate on the basis of a draft document put forward by the neutrals and non-aligned group of countries, but the Russians and their allies refused to do so, and showed
no disposition to make any concessions of substance in the key areas of human rights and human contacts which have always been central to Western interest in the CSCE follow-up process. Faced with this unbalanced Soviet approach, the United Kingdom and its partners and allies were left with no option but to agree to a short and mainly factual concluding document. I should like to put on record the Government's deep regret that despite the best endeavours of our own and other Western delegations, and neutral and non- aligned countries, an opportunity to fur- ther the development of the détente has
thus been missed.
However, the results of Belgrade should not be dismissed as without value. Preparations for it concentrated the minds of all concerned on the need to honour their commitments, which led to some progress being made both in the run-up to the Belgrade meeting and during it. The successful completion of the review of implementation has firmly established the right of all the participating States to criticise quite frankly the record of other CSCE States in implementing the Final Act. And the discussion of pro- posals for improving implementation has focused attention on the areas where improvement is most needed. The ideas put forward at Belgarde remain for future discussion.
The concluding document itself, more- over, is by no means worthless. It con- tains both a reaffirmation by the partici- pating States of the validity and impor- tance of the Final Act, including, the human rights provisions, and a commit- ment on their part to meet again at Madrid in 1980. It also contains agree- ments to convene three meetings of experts: at Montreux in October 1978 to discuss the peaceful settlement of dis- putes; at Bonn in June 1978 where a Scientific Forum will be held; and at La Valletta in February 1979 to discuss
12 F 9
The CSCE process thus remains very much alive. In the run-up to the Madrid meeting the Government will continue to completely. They will expect others to implement their obligations fully and
do the same.
Belgrade itself, they will ont hesitate to And as in the past, as at speak out in those cases where the provi- sions of the Final Act are inadequately implemented or ignored by others.
Hong Kong
36. Sir Anthony Royle asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Com- monwealth Affairs what is the total of Government spending by the Hong Kong Government for the forthcoming year; and what proportion of this figure will be raised from additional taxes, increased borrowing or by calling upon Hong Kong's reserves.
Mr. Tomlinson: Total estimated ex- penditure by the Hong Kong Government for the financial year 1978-79 is HK$10,266 million--approximately £1,208 million-an increase of 26
per cent. on 1977. None of the revenue will be raised through additional taxes, bor- rowing or by drawing on reserves.
Entry Certificates
Miss Richardson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average period elap. sing between application for and grant of entry certificates in respect of citizens of each of the following countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Yemen, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.
Mr. Tomlinson: Visas are not required by citizens or Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Port- ugal, Spain or, with effect from 10th April, citizens of the United Arab Emirates. The time taken to issue entry certificates to citizens of Bangladesh and India, for whom they are optional except for those seeking settlement, and visas to the other nationalities listed varies according to the circumstances of each application. The main problem arises in respect of settlement applications in the Indian Sub-continent where the waiting times for the main settlement queues in
DATE ...13/3/78
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VOL 946
Дворе Ibopes Set
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Н.К. 177.3.78
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INDEX
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MAR 1973
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