583
}
Written Answers
Lighthouses
15 JANUARY 1986
Foulkes asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the annual cost to the taxpayer of the administration of lighthouses under the control of the Northern Lighthouse Board; how much of this relates to lighthouses in the Isle of Man; and what contribution is made by the Isle of Man Government towards the cost.
Mr. Ridley [pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1986, c. 479]: The expenses of the board are met, not by the taxpayer, but from the general lighthouse fund, which is derived from light dues levied on shipping using ports in the British Isles.
In 1984-85 the board incurred current and capital expenditure of about £5 million on lighthouses of which of £0.3 million was in the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man Government do not contribute to the board's costs.
Mr. Foulkes asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on the improvement carried out on the lighthouse-keepers' houses on Davaar Island; what has been recovered of this cost by subsequent sale or letting of the houses; and what charges have been made on public funds to cover the costs involved.
Mr. Ridley [pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1986, c. 479]: I understand that the Northern Lights Board has spent no money on improving these houses in the last five years. No house has been let or sold, and no charge has fallen on public funds.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Argentina
Mr. Dalyell asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 20 December, Official Report, column 364, what form the contacts with Argentina are taking regarding the question of fisheries in the south-west Atlantic; and if he will make
a statement.
Mr. Renton: The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation is taking the lead, in consultation with all the Governments concerned, in undertaking a technical assessment of fisheries in the south-west Atlantic. Our own communications with the Argentine Government are conducted through the protecting powers and are confidential.
South Atlantic (Wildlife)
Mr. Dalyell asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the visit to London of a senior official from the Food and Agriculture Organisation to discuss wildlife in the
south Atlantic.
Mr. Renton: An official of the Food and Agriculture Organisation secretariat will visit London later this month in connection with the FAO's technical study of the south- west Atlantic fishery. We are co-operating fully in the preparation of this study, which we hope will lead on to agreement on multilaterally-based fisheries conservation and management arrangements for the area.
Cancer Research
Mr. Dalyell asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his committee of scientific
In Pawell:
Written Answers
Ch
58:
584
experts has started work on the questions put to him regarding European cancer research by the hon. Member for Linlithgow, Official Report, column 306, 18 December; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Chalker: Yes. The Committee of EC cancer experts set up following the December Foreign Affairs Council will meet for the first time on 24 January in Brussels. Its task is to make recommendations for a coordinated plan of action to combat cancer in EC member states. The United Kingdom's representative will be Professor Norman Bleehen, honorary director, Medical Research Council unit of clinical oncology and radiotherapeutics.
Hong Kong
Mr. Adley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has had discussions with the Chinese Government on the question of the granting of Chinese citizenship to non-Chinese citizens of Hong Kong who are not presently entitled to British citizenship, resulting from the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China in 1997; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: We have discussed this matter with the Chinese Government in the Sino-British joint liaison' group. They have confirmed that non-Chinese who meet the legal requirements under Chinese nationality law may apply for Chinese nationality, and that such cases would be dealt with by the appropriate authorities.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Industrial Development
8. Mr. Corbyn asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next proposes to meet the Trades Union Congress to discuss industrial development.
Mr. Pattie: My right hon. and learned Friend, I and other Ministers of the Department meet the TUC at meetings of the National Economic Development Council, where such questions arise regularly.
35. Mr. Hoyle asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to meet the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress to discuss the state of British industry.
Mr. Brittan: Either I or another Minister from my Department meet the CBI and TUC each month at the National Economic Development Council where such matters are regularly discussed. I have no immediate plans for a separate meeting with the two bodies on this subject.
38. Mr. Jim Callaghan asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next proposes to meet the Trades Union Congress to discuss industrial development.
Mr. Pattie: My right hon. and learned Friend, I and other Ministers of the Department meet the TUC at meetings of the National Economic Development Council, where such questions arise regularly.
Romania
17. Mr. Hunter asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has had any recent consultations with the Romanian authorities concerning United Kingdom trade with Romania; and if he will make a statement.
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20
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296
DAT!
15/1986. 584
C
89