295
Written Answers
---མ———-་
Liverpool (Ministerial Visit)
7 MARCH 1986
Mr. Parry asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will made a statement on the recent visit to Liverpool by the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer).
Mr. Gummer: I visited Liverpool, at the invitation of the United Kingdom Seed Crushing and Oil Processing Association, to see its long established edible oil industry. I was pleased to note the substantial investment in modernising this industry which has recently taken place in order to help secure its future.
PRIME MINISTER
Research and Development
Mr. Soames asked the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to improve the co- ordination of Government spending on research and development.
The Prime Minister: Steps to improve the co- ordination of Government spending on research and development are regularly considered by the Chief Scientific Adviser, Cabinet Office, by departmental chief scientists and, as appropriate, by Ministers.
Nuclear Waste
Mr. Michael Brown asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on co-ordination between the Department of the Environment and the Department of Energy on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the disposal of nuclear waste.
The Prime Minister: Policy on civil radioactive waste management is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Scotland and Wales. They do, however, consult closely with the Secretary of State for Energy in view of his responsibilities for the nuclear and electricity generating industries, which generates much of the waste and which are responsible for dealing with their wastes in accordance with the Government's stated policy.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Hong Kong
Mr. Sims asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent representatives of
Places and Name
of WEU Organisation
New Posts (A-Grade)
Responsibilities
Ansluter 14/3
Un Bailer
Written Answers
29
A Close Com
296
Christian and other religious organisations are allowed access to detainees in the closed camps in Hong Kong; and what conditions are imposed upon them.
Mr. Renton: Representatives of the Christian churches and of any other religions professed by the residents of Hong Kong's closed camps may visit freely and may hold religious services for those who wish them. Whilst no formal restrictions are imposed upon these visits, proselytising is firmly discouraged by the Hong Kong Government, who are responsible for the management of the camps.
South Africa
Sir John Biggs-Davison asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Her Majesty's Government made of the current situation in South Africa before deciding to call upon the Government of South Africa to lift the state of emergency prevailing in certain magisterial districts of the Republic; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Chalker: We are glad that President Botha has felt able to announce the lifting of the state of emergency, a step for which we had called together with out partners in Europe and the Commonwealth. We believe this should help to reduce tension and encourage prospects for dialogue. We shall continue to follow developments in South Africa closely.
Western European Union
Mr. Coleman asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new posts have been created within the Secretariat-General of the Western European Union and within other organs of the Western European Union since the Rome declaration of October 1984; what responsibilities and calaries these posts carry; which of them have been filled and by whom; by what means new staff are being recruited; and what steps are being taken to keep (a) Parliament and (b) the Assembly of the Western European Union, informed of such developments occurring in the course of the Western European Union reinvigoration process.
Mr. Eggar [pursuant to his reply, 6 February 1986, c. 242]: We are able to supply the following information:
now
Post filled
Starting Salaries (net monthly)
or vacant
London:
Secretariat-General
A6
A3/4
Head Political Affairs Division Head General Policy and Research
2.369
1,533 to 1,763
Filled (Italy)
Filled (United Kingdom)
Section
A2/3
General Policy and Research
A4
1,242 to 1,533
1,763
Vacant
Vacant
Paris:
Agency I
149
Public Relations
LKK 243/4
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
Diredo MAR 1986
DESK OFFICER
1 Hors Grade
5 Officials (A2)
INDEX
3,145
1,242 to 2,369
PA
PEGISTRY
Laction Taken
Filled (Italy) All filled*
DATE
7/3/86
COL. 295-6
VOL.
93