18 OCTOBER 1982
allocations of £23-3M in 1983-84, £24.5M in 1984-85 and £25-5M in 1985-86. (I recognise that in making these proposals they had regard to the special difficulties you face in 1983-84 consequent on forward commitments incurred as a result of the changes in your budget in recent years.) Compared with the total of these allocations (73-3M) I wish to see a contraction in the volume of your work to release £6M in all over the three years, to be applied as I have indicated, beginning in 1983-84 and rising steadily in the following two years. I want the redeployment to happen as quickly as possible consistent with orderly adjustment, taking account of your legal and moral commitments, and without interrupting the exercise of your main functions of supporting research and making postgraduate awards. It is my intention that when the volume of contraction to a smaller base has been realised the Council could count on a period of real stability, at that lower level at least; as with the Science Budget as a whole, the ability to achieve this will depend upon the performance of the economy and the extent to which costs can be controlled.
Let me enlarge on the context in which I see these changes occurring. Lord Rothschild recommended that there should be no further enquiries into the SSRC, apart from the recommended extensions to his enquiry and those required by Parliament, for a minimum period of three years (5). I can say that the Government has no further enquiry in mind apart from its normal business with the Research Councils and their administrative costs and efficiency, which are properly a matter for continuing oversight by us both.
You have told me that your Council has seen a greater role for private funding from industry and foundations; and has been encouraging this. I welcome such a trend, as I welcome steps that you are taking in response to Lord Rothschild's recommendation to improve your links with industry. As you say, boundaries within the system of funding for research in your field are not immutable and can properly be expected to move over time in either direction. Without having any particular changes in mind, I am glad to learn that you would see such adjustments as being matters for consideration by the Department, the Council and other interested bodies from time to time.
I think it right to say once again that I clearly understand and respect the constitutional relationship between central govern- ment and your Council as established by your Charter and the Science and Technology Act 1965. I fully accept that within the funds voted by Parliament and subject to the normal requirements of accountability it is for the Council to determine its priorities in the light of all the representations made to it including those of central government-and (short of a direction) to decide how to spend its money accordingly. I say this because I recognise that achieving the adjustments I have outlined above will require difficult and controversial decisions in which it will be important for our separate roles to be sustained.
Finally may I speak on a more personal note. I am very conscious that you and your Council have gone through a difficult time in recent years and are still without prospect of much calmer waters. I have greatly appreciated the care and dedication that you and the Council members bring to your work. As I have said, I see a continuing role for the Council in the support of research and postgraduate training.
Yours sincerely,
NORTHERN IRELAND
Solid Fuel Heating (Conversions)
Keith Joseph
Mr. Molyneaux asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what approval or permission is needed for the construction of chimneys in dwellings being converted to solid fuel heating appliances.
Mr. David Mitchell: Planning permission is not required for the construction of a chimney provided it does not materially affect the external appearance of the dwelling. But approval under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1977 is required from district councils for the construction of new chimneys in dwellings being converted to solid fuel heating appliances.
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Written Answers
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Hong Kong
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• Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest estimate of British citizens living in Hong Kong at the latest date.
Mr. Rifkind: It is estimated that, when the British Nationality Act 1981 comes into effect on 1 January 1983, there will be 19,000 British citizens living in Hong Kong, not including members of the British Forces and their families.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation has taken place with the citizens of Hong Kong concerning the possible renewal of the lease of the New Territories.
Mr. Rifkind: Many groups and individuals in Hong Kong have already made known their views on Hong Kong's future, including a group of Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils who called on my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in early September. During her recent visit to Hong Kong, my right hon. Friend heard the views of a wide cross-section of people. She emphasised the importance which Her Majesty's Government attach to consultation with the people of Hong Kong.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bodies and organisations in Hong Kong have made representations concerning the future of the colony.
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Mr. Rifkind: Representations about the future of Hong Kong have been received from the following bodies and organisations in Hong Kong:
Catholic Institute for International Relations Hong Kong Observers
Reform Club of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Civic Association Jo
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerces/10
Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Union Council Hong Kong Belongers Association
Hong Kong Prospect Institute
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General Association of Kowloon District Associations Committee for the Study of Public Opinion on the Future of Hong Kong
Oriental Daily News
Hong Kong Baptist College, Communications Department Association for Democracy of Hong Kong
A group of students from the Student Unions of Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic and Baptist College
A delegation representing several hundred Chinese schools, clansmen's associations and trade unions, including Hwa Kiu College, Hong Kong and Kowloon Private Chinese Schools Association, Hong Kong Alumni Associations of Taiwan Post-Secondary Colleges, Hong Kong Federation of Clansman Associations, United Chung Wah Martial Art and Athletic Association, Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Union Council and its 90 affiliated trade and craft unions, and world Chinese Traders General Association.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the lease of the New Territories, Hong Kong; and if he will make a
statement.
Mr. Rifkind: I have nothing to add to the replies given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the various questions on Hong Kong asked by the hon. Member.
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