569
Written Answers
Student Grants
28 JULY 1982
Mr. Marlow asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate how much the mandatory student grant would be reduced if parental contribution were no longer taken into account and all students under equal living conditions shared equally the total amounts of money now distributed.
Mr. Waldegrave: In the academic year 1980-81, the latest for which figures are available, a calculation on the basis suggested would have resulted in reductions, as compared with the current maximum rates, of £340 for students living in London, £285 for students living elsewhere, and £225 for students living in the parental home.
New Training Initiative
FA+18
Mr. Madel asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will be sending local education authorities a circular in relation to the new training initiative; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. William Shelton: Yes, my right hon. Friend has been consulting local authority associations and other relevant interests on the draft of a circular and hopes shortly to issue the final version. A copy of the draft has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The education service has an important role to play in all aspects of the. new training initiative, particularly the youth training scheme.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Argentine
Mr. Colvin asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to restore diplomatic relations with the Argentine.
Mr. Pym: As the House knows, we have already taken a number of steps to reduce the tensions arising from the recent military conflict. We have repatriated all Argentine prisoners and have lifted the total exclusion zone. But in the absence of any clear and reliable indications from the Argentine Government on the permanent cessation of hostilities, we intend to maintain an arms embargo and a protection zone against a renewed Argentine attack.
Our economic measures against Argentina are also under active review. But any lifting of these must depend on the Argentines terminating the measures they have taken against us. The resumption of normal commercial relations must clearly be on an equal basis.
We have noted the statement of 5 July by the Argentine Foreign Minister that for the moment a renewal of relations is not possible. It must not, however, be forgotten that it was unprovoked aggression by Argentina which destroyed our previous relations and that, by declining to accept a permanent cessation of hostilities, the Argentines seem to be keeping open the possibility of a further unlawful recourse to force. There can in these circumstances be no resumption of normal relations with Argentina without a fundamental change in the Argentine attitude. Meanwhile, we shall maintain adequate British defence forces on the Falklands for as long as this is necessary for their security.
290
Written Answers
Falkland Islands
570
163
Mr. Eldon Griffiths asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Falklands unit has taken to provide temporary housing for troops and displaced civilians on the Falkland Islands pending the provision when climatic conditions permit, of more permanent buildings.
Mr. Onslow: Matters concerning the British troops are for the Ministry of Defence. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister described the measures that had been taken to provide them with temporary accommodation in her reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) on 22 July.—[Vol. 28, c. 235.] So far as I am at present aware, only 10 temporary housing units will be needed for the civilian population. Potential suppliers have been identified and a shortlist of these has been invited to submit firm tenders, with a view to shipment as soon as possible.
Mr. Trippier asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government intend to pay compensation to Falkland Islanders for their losses during the recent Argentine occupation of the islands.
Mr. Onslow: Yes. As the Prime Minister said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton (Mr. Maxwell- Hyslop) on 15 June, the Government intend to be generous in paying compensation to civilians for loss of life, injury, and damage to property in the Falkland Islands, whether as a result of British or Argentine actions, during the recent conflict. The civil commissioner has been collecting damage reports since his return so that we shall be in a position to move quickly. Authority for these payments will be sought from Parliament by means of a Supplementary Estimate. Pending parliamentary approval, suitable repayable advances will be made from the Contingencies Fund.
Vietnamese Refugees
Mr. Wrigglesworth asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions the Government are taking to find new resettlement places for Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong.
Mr. Rifkind: Arrangements for resettlement of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong are made by the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees whose officials work closely with the Hong Kong Government. The United Kingdom is a major contributor both nationally and through the European Community to UNHCR operations. We also accept those refugee cases that our criteria for resettlement in the United Kingdom.
British Council
серия в міс
Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take immediate steps to make good the anticipated £3 million deficit of the British Council in the present financial year; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Onslow: I am aware of the problem referred to by the hon. Member, which is under active inter- departmental consideration. I hope to be in a position to write to the hon. Member in the near future.
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