537
Written Answers
- 20 MARCH 1979
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
AFFAIRS
Albania
Mr. Newens asked the Secretary for State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on
the possibility of re-establishing diplo-
matic links with Albania.
Mr. Luard: There are two main out- standing problems in British-Albanian relations. First, the Albanians have not paid the compensation awarded to Britain by the International Court of Justice in 1949 in respect of the Corfu Channel incident. Second, there is the long-stand- ing problem of the gold formerly belong ing to the pre-war Bank of Albania which is now in the custody of the Tripartite Commission for the restitution of mone- tary gold. The solution to the latter prob- lem does not depend on the British Gov- ernment alone; but the Albanian Govern- ment have not so far been prepared to discuss the question of restoring diplo-
matic relations until it has been solved. The British Government have made it clear on a number of occasions that they would be glad to find a way round these obstacles which have prevented the restoration of diplomatic relations for so long.
American Declaration of Independence (Bicentenary)
Mr. Thompson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an ex gratia pay- ment to ensure that stonemasons J. & A. Milligan of Reetown, Kirkcudbright- shire, receive full recompense for its work in connection with the manufacture of the United Kingdom's gift to mark the 200th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.
Mr. Luard: Messrs. Milligan has an outstanding claim against the main con- tractor, who has been declared bank- rupt. Although we sympathise with it, we believe it would be wrong for the Government to use public funds to settle a claim arising out of a transac tion to which they were not a party.
Hong Kong'
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
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what plans the Hong Kong Government have to introduce social welfare benefits in the following areas: unemployment, sickness, child allowances, rent rebate for low-paid workers, retirement pension and free travel for pensioners.
Mr. Luard: Certain of these benefits
are already available under the public assistance scheme, special needs allow- ances and existing labour legislation. Proposals for additional sickness and retirement benefits are under considera- tion. There are no plans to introduce child allowances or
free travel for pensioners.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Hong Kong Government intend to introduce measures dealing with death benefit, disablement benefit, supplemen- tary benefit, hardship allowance and house improvement grants.
Mr. Luard: Death, disablement and
supplementary benefits and hardship allowances are already partially covered by the public assistance scheme and special needs allowances and by statu- tory benefits under labour legislation. Proposals to improve benefits for the partially disabled and to provide addi- tional injury and death benefits are under consideration. There are no plans to introduce house improvement grants.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances an individual or a family can apply to the Hong Kong Gov- ernment for either regular or one-off cash benefits for all situations of need, other than applications for accident, property compensation or legal aid.
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Mr. Luard: Application can be made for cash assistance under the public as- sistance scheme whenever individual or family income falls below specified levels; or when hardship arises following natural disaster, or criminal or law enforcement action. Additional cash benefits can be claimed by the elderly, the disabled, those who have relied on public assistance for more than 12 months and by certain other people with special needs.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report for each
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year since 1974 the monthly av industrial wage for men and women average monthly wage for all wo the average joint family income an retail price index in Hong Kong for years taking 1974 as base 100
Mr. Luard: My right hon. Frier asked the Hong Kong Governm compile this information and will for it to be published in the Report as soon as it is available.
TRADE
Internal Devolution
20351
Mr. Henderson asked the Secr State for Trade what statutory pr require disclosure to be made se in company accounts of donatio to the "Scotland Says No" cam
Mr. John Smith: Section 19 Companies Act 1967 provides directors' report must include cer ticulars of contributions for poli poses, which are defined as don subscriptions to a political pa activities which could reasonab garded as likely to affect publi for a political party. Director panies which have made donatio organisation will need to conside disclosure is necessary to co the statutory requirements.
Companies House (Industrial
Mr. David Mitchell asked th of State for Trade what is the the dispute which is disturbin mal working of Companies H long it has continued; how ma per day are being held up; new companies per week ar register; and what steps he deal with the situation.
on
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Mr. Clinton Davis: A sma executive staff belonging to th Civil and Public Servants the staff belonging to Public Services Association strike since. 23 F furtherance of their claim plementation of the finding Research Unit from Ap has prevented the Registra ing a public search servic the rate of 11,000 search
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