407
Written Answers
nsu
Mr. Austin 6/11 Sed to
6/11 Set to Reginby
4 NOVEMBER 1986
updated table 7.5 bis on pages 76 and 77 of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Social Policy Studies No. 3: "Living Conditions in OECD Countries."
Mrs. Chalker: No. The OECD has no plans to update this particular table. But information on OECD unemployment is contained in the "Employment Outlook" and statistical background published by the OECD each September.
Hong Kong
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the role of the Heung Yee Kuk in the New Territories, Hong Kong, after 1997; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: There is no specific provision in the Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong concerning the future of the Heung Yee Kuk after 1997. This is essentially a matter for the Government of the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the reports of the UMELCO of Hong Kong visits to North America, Europe and Japan to study nuclear power projects.
Mr. Renton: A copy will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Hong Kong Government on the Daya Bay nuclear power plant.
Mr. Renton: The Hong Kong Government's policy towards the Daya Bay nuclear power plant has been set out in the speeches given by the Financial Secretary in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on 16 July and 15 October 1986. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for a referendum to be held on the proposed nuclear power plant at Daya Bay; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: No. We do not believe this would be appropriate. The proposed nuclear power station is to be located in the People's Republic of China.
Nepal
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with Nepal.
Mr. Renton: Relations between Britain and Nepal have traditionally been close and friendly; they continue to be
So.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government of Nepal have made any representations concerning the dismissal of the soldiers of the Gurkha Regiment based in Hong Kong.
Mr. Renton: The Government of Nepal have made no such representations. We informed them at an early stage and have remained in close contact.
Written Answers
British Council
04+140
408
Mr. Lawrence asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what annual savings will result from the closure of the British Council's offices in Damascus; and whether the money saved will be retained for the use of the British Council.
Mr. Renton: The maximum annual gross saving that may eventually result from closing the British Council office in Damascus is of the order of £0.4 million. However, in 1986-87 there will be no savings and funds may be needed in 1987-88 to cover residual costs.
Mr. Lawrence asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government intend to cover the cost of increased security for the British Council; what estimate he has received from the British Council of such costs; how much money he proposes to make available for this purpose; and if he will make a
statement.
Mr. Renton: In 1986-87 the council asked for £820,000 additional to its voted provision for the year to cover the cost of increased security. Parliamentary approval will be sought to provide a substantial proportion of this money. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has in principle accepted the council's case for enhanced security in the years 1987-88 to 1989-90 but the results of the public expenditure survey cannot be anticipated. Further details will be published in the public expenditure White Paper and in the Supply Estimates to be submitted for parliamentary approval.
India
Mr. Wheeler asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action he intends to take following the Government of India's refusal to grant visas to the two British drugs liaison officers; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: We have been promised a definitive response from the Indian Government in the very near future on whether the drug liaison officers can take up their posts.
Falkland Islands
Mr. Spearing asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a White Paper concerning the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning fisheries in the Falklands including details of the negotiations conducted under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Mr. Renton: I refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. and learned Friend made to the House on 29 October, at columns 323-33, in which he made clear our policy and drew attention to our support for a study by the Food and Agriculture Organisation on fish stocks in the south-west Atlantic.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Tubero v. Toomey
DATE 41186
COL. 407
VOL.
103
Mr. Peter Bruinvels asked the Attorney-General what has been the result of the investigation into allegations
213