187
Written Answers
21 NOVEMBER 1984
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Chemical Weapons
on
Mr. Michie asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom delegation to the United Nations committee Disarmament will support article X of the proposed United States draft chemical weapons ban treaty.
Mr. Renton: We have made clear at the Conference on Disarmament that the verification provisions in the United States draft chemical weapons treaty point to the path which the negotiations must follow if full compliance is to be assured. The United States has indicated its willingness to consider alternatives. We trust that other countries, including the Soviet Union, will demonstrate the same readiness to be flexible when the negotiations resume in January 1985.
Mr. Michie asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom delegation to the Geneva committee on disarmament plans to propse further measures which might ensure that during the chemical weapons destruction process, production facilities remain completely inoperative.
Mr. Renton: Allied proposals for verification of non- operation and destruction of chemical weapons production facilities are already on the Geneva negotiating table. We await a detailed Soviet response. The United Kingdom stands ready to contribute to agreement on this aspect of verification, particularly in the light of its experience in the dismantling of its own pilot plant at Nancekuke in the 1970s.
The United Kingdom is considering tabling a further working paper in early 1985 on the related verification issue of the non-diversion of industrial chemicals to illicit military stockpiles.
Ethiopia
Mr. Maclean asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with the United Nations commission for human rights allegations of persecution of religious groups in Ethiopia.
Mr. Rifkind: We can find little evidence of any worsening of the situation of religious groups in Ethiopia, which has been unsatisfactory in certain areas for some time. Under the circumstances we have no plans to raise this matter with the United Nations Commission for Human Rights.
Mr. Maclean asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with the Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries the need for a concerted response by developed states to the famine in Ethiopia.
Mr. Rifkind: The United Nations has appointed a ́special co-ordinator to oversee national and international efforts to alleviate the famine in Ethiopia. He will, no doubt, be looking for contributions from all Governments in a position to help.
Embassies (London and Moscow)
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what
95
Written Answers
201113
188
GA-TRY progress has been made on the negotiations with the Soviet authorities on the reciprocal provision of sites for new embassy premises and staff accommodation in London and Moscow; and if he will make a statement. › Taken
Mr. Renton: Negotiatioris with the Soviet Government over the reciprocal provision of embassy sites In London and Moscow have taken place, intermittently, over many years. The current position is that we are considering two central sites in Moscow which the Russians have offered to us: one for the embassy offices and staff accommodation and one for the ambassador's residence. In London, the Soviet Government have been offered two sites: one at 1-7 Kensington Palace gardens, for new offices and some staff accommodation and the other at 245 Warwick road, for further staff accommodation and amenities. The normal planning procedures will be followed in developing these two sites. We are very conscious of the need for sensitive architectural treatment, particularly in relation to the Kensington Palace gardens site. The Soviet ambassador's existing residence at 13 Kensington Palace gardens will be retained, but we expect other properties leased by the Soviet Embassy in Kensington Palace gardens to be given up once the new offices and staff accommodation are occupied. Negotiations are continuing.
Israel (Arms Embargo)
Mr. Latham asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will set out in tabular form the date or dates on which (a) the European Community Council of Ministers imposed an arms sales embargo on Israel, (b) the United Kingdom announced its compliance with the embargo, (c) each other Community state did the same, (d) the embargo was lifted by the Community and (e) the embargo was announced to have been ended by any individual Community state.
Mr. Renton: Defence sales policy is determined by individual Governments. Following discussions at the European Council in Brussels on 28-29 June 1982 the Belgian Prime Minister in his role as President stated that no member was supplying arms to Israel. On 30 June 1982 we announced that approval of licences for the export of British military equipment to Israel would be withheld until further notice. We are not aware that any member state has announced the lifting of restrictions.
Hong Kong
Mr. Malone asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the further development of representative government in Hong Kong.
Sir Geoffrey Howe: The Honk Kong Government have today published a White Paper on the further development of representative Government in the territory. Copies of this paper have been placed in the Library of the House.
After the publication on 18 July of the Green Paper on representative government, two months were allowed for public comment, which was received from a wide variety of sources. There was general support for the aims of the Green Paper and the gradual and progressive nature of the
400
हि
་
proposals made in it. The White Paper, which takesε 21.11.84
COL. 188-189
VOL.
68