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Written Answers
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22 APRIL 1985
Mr. Waddington: It is intended that a draft of an Order in Council to implement the nationality provisions of the Hong Kong Act 1985 should be put before Parliament with a view to the order itself being made by April 1986. Among other things, the draft order will include provision for British nationals (overseas) to be entitled to be registered as British citizens under section 4 of the British Nationality Act 1981 on the same terms as British dependent territories citizens and other British nationals.
Mr. Alhaji Umaru Dikko
Mr. Stanbrook asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the current leave to remain in the United Kingdom given to Alhaji Umaru Dikko expires.
Mr. Waddington: On 20 June 1984, Mr. Dikko was granted leave to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor for a period of six months. Before the expiry of that period, Mr. Dikko applied for asylum in the United Kingdom. This application has the effect of extending his leave to remain while his application is under consideration.
Peacock Inquiry
Mr. Latham asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can yet give further details on the Peacock inquiry into Broadcasting finance; and to whom members of the public should address any comments which they wish to make.
Mr. Giles Shaw: The terms of reference of the Peacock committee were circulated in the Official Report following my right hon. and learned Friend's statement of 27 March about the BBC's licence fee at column 479. We hope to be able to announce the names of the members of the Committee before long. The Committee will doubtless indicate, as soon as it begins its task, how it wishes evidence to be submitted to it.
RAF Molesworth
Mrs. Renée Short asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of the policing operation at RAF Molesworth over the Easter weekend; and if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Cambridgeshire police about the number of people arrested for alleged criminal damage and other offences.
Mr. Giles Shaw: The chief constable of Cambridgeshire informs me that 107 people were arrested at the site for alleged offences including criminal damage, trespass on military land, assault on the police and destruction. He is not yet in a position to give a complete estimate of the costs of policing the demonstration.
Royal Air Force Bases (Demonstrations)
Mrs. Renée Short asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has had any discussions with chief constables about the degree of retaliation by police to peaceful demonstrations at Royal Air Force bases; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Giles Shaw: No. Chief constables are well aware that police officers must not use force unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.
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Written Answers
Channel Islands (Drugs Money)
322
Mr. Foulkes asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the information given to the Under-Secretary on his visit to the United States of America regarding the use of the Channel Islands to deposit in secret money from illegal drugs activities.
Mr. Mellor: It would not be appropriate to publish details of the specific case which was mentioned to me.
Mr. Foulkes asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to counter the use of the Channel Islands for the deposit of money from illegal drugs activities.
Mr. Mellor: My right hon. and learned Friend will continue to encourage the Channel Islands to follow their present policies of enacting parallel legislation to the United Kingdom, and of adopting similar standards and practices to avoid abuse of banking facilities. He will keep a close watch on any indications of money from illegal drug activities being channelled through the islands, and these will be brought to the attention of the island authorities as a matter of urgency.
Metropolitan Police (Medals)
Mr. Bendall asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it takes 12 months for the Metropolitan police to notify and present the recipient with a medal for long service and conduct.
Mr. Giles Shaw: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that there is no unnecessary delay between an officer becoming eligible for the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the award of the medal. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, he may wish to take it up with the Commissioner.
Crimes Against Children
Mr. Peter Bruinvels asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will call for reports from each chief constable as to the number of children who were: (a) murdered and (b) abducted and (c) sexually assaulted in 1984 and to date in 1985; how these figures compare with the previous five years; and if he will make a
statement.
Mr. Giles Shaw [pursuant to his reply, 15 April, c. 14]: The Government view such crimes against children with the utmost concern. Chief officers fully share this view and respond to these offences accordingly. Much relevant information is already reported regularly and my right hon. and learned Friend sees no need to call for special reports at this stage. The age and sex of victims of homicide is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"-table 4.6 of the latest issue for 1983, Cmnd. 9349; corresponding statistics for 1984 will become available later this year. The number of recorded offences of child stealing-which includes offences under the Child Abduction Act 1984, kidnapping, abduction of persons of all ages and of all sexual offences including some specifically involving juveniles is published annually in chapter 2 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". The latest figures for 1984 were published in "Home Office Statistical Bulletin” issue 6/85, on 12 March 1985. The numbers of persons found guilty or
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