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of the differences between East and West on arms control, regional problems and human rights. We will play a full and active part in this process.
Luxembourg Agreement (Denmark)
84. Mr. Buchan asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place in the Council of Ministers following the rejection by the Danish Parliament of the Luxembourg agreement.
Mrs. Chalker: There was discussion on 27 January in the Foreign Affairs Council, where I represented the United Kingdom. I refer the hon. Member to my statement of 30 January, at column 1106.
Israeli-Jordan Relations
85. Dr. M. S. Miller asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what indications he had from King Hussein during his recent visit to London regarding his policy towards entering direct negotiations with Israel.
Sir Geoffrey Howe: I expect King Hussein to continue his efforts, which have our support, to make progress towards negotiations with Israel within an international framework.
EC (Foreign Policy)
87. Sir Anthony Meyer asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent progress towards closer co-operation in foreign policy in the European Community.
Mrs. Chalker: Treaty provisions on co-operation in the sphere of Foreign Policy based on a United Kingdom initiative were agreed at the inter-governmental con- ference, as my right hon. and learned Friend reported to the House on 18 December. I refer the hon. Member to the evidence which my right hon. and learned Friend gave on this subject to the House of Commons Select Committee on Foreign Affairs on 11 December. I understand that the Select Committee has placed an uncorrected transcript of the evidence in the Library of the House and that it will be published in due course.
Nepal (Royal Visit)
88. Mr. Wallace asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Minister will the be accompanying Her Majesty the Queen on forthcoming visit to Nepal.
Sir Geoffrey Howe: I shall be accompanying Her Majesty the Queen on the forthcoming state visit to Nepal.
Ascension Island
89. Mr. Nicholas Brown asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the development of Ascension Island.
Mr. Eggar: The dependent territory of Ascensio island is an important communications centre and a vita link between the United Kingdom and the Falklan Islands. It consists of a largely barren island peak of
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volcanic rock and has no indigenous inhabitants. Normal development criteria do not therefore apply and the territory receives no aid from us.
Lesotho
91. Dame Judith Hart asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has had with Major General Justin Lekhanya since the coup in Lesotho; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Chalker: All diplomatic missions and inter- national organisations in Maseru have been briefed by the Lesotho Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the situation in the country following the coup. We have not yet had any direct contact with the Military Council.
Vietnamese Refugees
92. Mr. Ashdown asked the Secretary of State for
Commonwealth Affairs how Foreign and
many Vietnamese refugees are currently in (a) open and (b) closed camps in Hong Kong,
Mr. Renton: On 27 January 4,353 Vietnamese refugees were in open camps and 4,842 in closed camps in Hong Kong.
Vietnam
Mr. Best asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has of the denial of human rights in Vietnam; and if he will make a
statement.
Mr. Renton: Human rights violations in Vietnam, of which we are aware, include detention without trial in "re- Buddhists and education" camps, persecution of Catholics, harassment of intellectuals, and discrimination against ethnic minorities. We deplore all such abuses. Our Representative at the 41st Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1985 drew attention to these violations. We plan to express our concern again at Vietnam's poor record at this year's meeting.
Polish Nationals (Visas)
Mr. Stern asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the arrangements that are currently in existence in Poland for the issue of visas to Polish residents wanting to visit the United Kingdom.
Sir Geoffrey Howe: Yes.
DEFENCE
Nuclear Deterrent
Mr. Best asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the current value both in financial terms and as a percentage of total expenditure on the replacement of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent, of the amount of work and materials which will be provided from the United "Kingdom."
нск 243/3
Mr. Norman Lamont: Approximately 55 per cent., or RECEP 66.100mdiyppy value, of the total estimated cost of Trident (£9.285 million at 1984-85 prices and at
SFER192 £1=$1.38) is planned to be spent in the United Kingdom 12/86.
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