193
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Written Answers
20 MARCH 1981
Mr. Luce: There is no provision in the laws of India, and Tanzania for conferring the right of abode or
I
ent settlement on non-citizens; but this does not preclude the persons concerned from continuing residence and re-entry. The laws of other Commonwealth countries listed can confer permanent settlement on non-citizens, some following a qualifying period of residence, others by Ministerial discretion.
Re-entry permits are required for the persons concerned resident in Kenya, Tanzania, Malaysia and Singapore. India, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi do not have this requirement.
European Community Transfrontier Co-operation
Mr. W. E. Garrett asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government intend to ratify the European outline convention on transfrontier co-operation between ter- ritorial authorities or communities, which has already been signed or ratified by nine Council of Europe member States.
Sir Ian Gilmour: The question whether the United Kingdom should sign the outline convention is at present under consideration.
Hong Kong (Nationality)
Mr. Alfred Morris asked the Lord Privy Seal what procedures he has followed to consult the people of Hong Kong on the provisions of the British Nationality Bill that affect them; if he believes that these provisions are acceptable to the Hong Kong community; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Blaker: Consultation with Hong Kong took place through the Governor before and after publication of the White Paper, which was widely publicised in the territory. In addition, representations on the Bill have been received from the Hong Kong Government and the Governor's unofficial advisers since its presentation. These have been discussed in meetings with the Governor, and the points which have been raised are being considered by the Government.
Belize
Mr. Radice asked the Lord Privy Seal whether dates have been set for a constitutional conference for Belize and for further negotiaions with Guatemala.
Mr. Ridley: The constitutional conference will open at Malborough House on 6 April. Negotiations with Guatemala to prepare a treaty or treaties on the basis of the heads of agreement signed on 11 March will begin on 20 May.
Foreign Parliamentarians (Costs)
Mr. Tom Ellis asked the Lord Privy Seal what was the cost in the last two financial years of hospitality and other arrangements for foreign parliamentarians and their wives visiting the United Kingdom.
Mr. Blaker [pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1981, c. 406]: The information regarding other visitors is as follows:
The Franco-British Parliamentary Relations Committee 1978-79 A party including 11 French MPs visited this country. Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure towards their entertain- ment by the Committee amounted to £3,440.
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The Anglo-Polish Round Table Conference 1978-79
A reimbursement of £3,800 was made towards the cost of entertaining a party of 15 Poles, three of whom were parliamentarians. Their visit in fact took place in late 1977. Miscellaneous
In addition, a number of smaller contributions were made from Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds towards the entertainment of visitors sponsored by various organisations.
Some of the visitors were parliamentarians though, not
necessarily visiting in that capacity. To indentify
costs
would involve a disproportionate arount of metry 20. 31
1 APR 1981
DEFENCE
DESK CLALLA
TAY
^ ab j'
Royal Air Force: Houses (Dishforth)_AA Mr. Spence asked the Secretary of State for Defence 1/4
how much is the advised oper-market-value of the -132- surplus empty Royal Air Forces houses at Dishforth, North Yorkshire; how much has been spent on their care and maintenance, and by whom, since they fell vacant; how much has been paid and by whom, to the local authority in rates whilst vacant; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Pattie: My hon. Friend has written to me on the subject and I shall be writing to him about this very complex matter.
Defence Expenditure
Mr. Churchill asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the anticipated effect on the defence budget of the proposals outlined in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's recent Budget Statement; and if he will take steps to reimburse the Defence Vote for the additional taxation in respect of taxes on petrol, diesel and aviation and turbine spirit in particular.
Mr. Nott: The cost to the defence budget of the fiscal proposals in the Budget Statement is estimated at about £4 million in 1981-82. There are no plans to increase the defence cash limit on this account, although the cash limit will be kept under review.
NATIONAL FINANCE
Child Benefit
Mr. Peter Bottomley asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Sun newspaper on the consequences for the public sector borrowing requirement of uprating child benefit, following the readers' poll.
Sir Geoffrey Howe: I have received a letter from the journalist who wrote the articles which requested readers' views on the size and frequency of payment of child benefit.
Budget
Mr. Arthur Lewis asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he has received support and opposition to his Budget; and whether he will give details in the Official Report.
Sir Geoffrey Howe: I have received a large number of representations on all aspects of the Budget. These are far too numerous and diverse to be adequately summarised in the Official Report.
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