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Written Answers
25 JULY 1986
Republic of China over Hong Kong particularly over (a) religious freedom, (b) the safeguarding of religious trusts and (c) free passage abroad.
Mr. Renton: The agenda and proceedings of the Sino- British Joint Liason Group meetings are confidential. But section XIII of annex I to the Joint Declaration of the Governments of the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China states that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government shall maintain the rights and freedoms as provided for by the laws previously in force in Hong Kong, including among others, freedom of the person, of travel and of belief. It also provides for schools, hospitals and welfare institutions run by religious organisations to be continued.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Chinese Government have made any recent objections to the development of democracy in Hong Kong at official meetings; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: The contents of our official exchanges with other governments are confidential. As I told the hon. Member in my reply to his question on 10 February, there will be review of the further development of representative government in Hong Kong in 1987. Decisions on any further developments must await the outcome of that review.
a
Hong Kong (Nuclear Accidents)
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Hong Kong Government have any contingency plans for evacuating the Territory in the event of any nuclear accident.
Mr. Renton: The Hong Kong Government are drawing up plans to ensure the greatest possible degree of safety for the people of Hong Kong in the unlikely event of a nuclear accident. To this end, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has been retained as consultant to the Hong Kong Government.
Nuclear Power Plant, Guangdong Province (China)
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation has taken place between the Chinese Government and the Hong Kong Government concerning the building of a nuclear power plant in Guangdong Province; and if he will make a
statement.
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Written Answers
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319 598
col. 440, we have been following very closely the expressions of concern in Hong Kong about the proposed nuclear power plant project. We remain in close touch with the Chinese authorities on various aspects of the project.
Dr. Francis Bertrand
Mr. David Atkinson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe on behalf of Dr. Francis Bertrand; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar: Dr. Bertrand was tried by a Zimbabwean court in 1982. He was convicted and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. An appeal against conviction and sentence was dismissed. Dr. Bertrand renounced his Zimbabwean citizenship in May 1985. Since that time we have given him full consular protection normally afforded to a British national.
Public Bodies
Mr. Wigley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of all the bodies in Wales to which he has the sole or joint responsibility for making appointments.
Mr. Eggar: The only such body is the University college of Wales, Aberystwyth, where my right hon. and learned Friend is solely responsible for nominating a member of the advisory board to the Wilson chair of international politics.
English Language
Mr. Wigley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much Her Majesty's Government have spent on the promoting of the English language, and English language teaching in foreign countries during each year since 1979.
Mr. Eggar: Since 1983 we, through the agency of the British Council, have spent the following sums on the promoting of the English language and English language teaching in foreign countries:
1983-84 1984-85 1985-86
*Estimated outturn.
£ million
55
63
*68
Expenditure by subject was not recorded before 1983.
Economic Summit
Mr. D. E. Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which country the 1987 economic summit will be held.
Mr. Renton: We have been in touch with the Chinese authorities for several years both on our own behalf and on behalf of Hong Kong, for which we are responsible, over various aspects of the planned nuclear power plant in Guangdong Province in China. I have no doubt that these contacts will continue and that they will provide the means for a useful and important exchange of views. HKK OUL
Mr. D. E. Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Governmel 1986 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which month the
GAHY
make representations to the Chinese-Government- concerning the siting of the proposed-nuclear power plant- in Guangdong Province, in view of its close proximity to the Colony; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: As I said in my reply of 15 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch (Mr. Adley), at
302
Mrs. Chalker: Italy.
1987 economic summit will be held.
Mrs. Chalker: It has yet to be decided.
AAB "/8.
Nicaragua
́Mr. Corbyn asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings Her Majesty's
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