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417
rended in he Foreign and e, including the ministration.
departmental
d noble Friend ctions of these
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Et answered. Is osing to bring the scope of
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sked the Lord a statement of relation to the
Government's and con pre- on Security 1338 and the stinian people. of the search al support all s goal.
e right hon. long ago as Mr. Reginald e Opposition thought that to talk with Organisation? man have any
lestine Libera- ccept fully the ettlement and ht to exist,
no difficulty 5. We hope hd, when that
Oral Answers
Hak 02613
RECEIVED
19 JUN 1979
13 JUNE 1979
make).
19/1
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The Willany 19.6
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Oral drawers
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happens, it will be much easier to make that of programme is currently under contact with it.
review. /Wo not have much spare money, and 10
to decision has yet been taken. However, I accept the importance of what the hon. Gentleman said.
Mr. Roy Hughes: Does the Minister agree that, despite the treaty between Israel and Egypt, no progress has been made in redressing the grievances of the Palestinians? Have the Government given any thought to the possible recon- vening of the Geneva Conference with a view to bringing about a long-term settle- ment in this vital area?
Sir I. GEmour: It is true so far that there has 1 ot been much positive progress towards redressing the grievances of the Palestinians. However, the Camp David agreements chart a course towards the implementation of the relevant resolu- tions, 242 and 338, and we believe that in present circumstances those resolutions offer the best hope of progress. We hope tha: the momentum generated by the peace treaty will lead towards a compre- hensive settlernent.
Egypt (Foreign Minister)
5. Mr. Thomas Cox asked the Lord Privy Seal what plans he has to invite the Foreign Minister of Egypt to visit the United Kingdom.
Sir Ian Gilmour: No formal invitation has been extended to Dr. Boutros Ghali, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, but our contacts with the Egyptian Gov-| ernment are close and Vice-President Mubarek is due to visit Britain tomorrow. I know that my right hon. and noble | Friend wishes to maintain close ties with Egypt's leaders, including Dr. Ghali and Dr. Khalil.
Mr. Hooley: Will the right hon. Gentle- man be discussing with the Egyptian Foreign Minister the implications for the Camp David accords and the Israeli- Egyptian peace treaty of the expropriation of Arab land on the Wes. bank for the benefit of a new Jewish settlement, and the public statements by Mr. Begin that he has no intention that Israel should sur- render control of either the West Bank or Gaza?
Str 1. Gilmour: With regard to the second part of the hon. Gentlman's question, naturally the Government regret certain statements by both sides which are likely to make an agicement more difficult or impossible. As for the first part, as I said in my speech on the Gracious Address, we deeply regrei Isteel's settle- ment policy. Like practicaliy all the rest of the world, we regard it as illegal and as an obstacle to peace.
China and Hong Kong (Co-operation)
6. Mr. Hal Miller asked the Lord Privy Seal what were the results of the visit of the governor of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China; and if he will make a statement on the current extent of co- operation between the Governments of China and Hong Kong.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Peter Blaker): The visit provided an opportunity for the governor to establish personal contact with Chinese leaders and discuss with them matters of mutual interest, including tourism, industrial co-operation, in vest- ment, communications and immigration. Co-operation between the Hong Kong Government and the Chinese authorities is good.
Mr. Cox: I thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that there is deep appreciation in this country of the courageous efforts made by Egypt and Israel in arriving at a peace settlement? The visit of the Egyptian Foreign Minis- ter would indeed allow this Government to express their appreciation for the efforts that were made. Is the Minister also
Mr. Miller: I welcome the good co- aware that there is now urgent need to help Egypt, both economically and indus-operation. May I ask the Minister trially, in
the development of that whether the discussions on immigration made it plain that the present flow of country? That is surely an endeavour in which this country, along with Western refugees, now totailing 100,000 detected Europe, could probably play an important undate Hong Kong cannot be allowed so far this year-which threatens to in-
role. Will he bear that in mind?
Sir I. Gilmour: I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman, but he will realise
3 H 29
to continue? Therefore, will the Govern- ment made it plain to the Peking Gov- ernment that we look to them for strong
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