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Written Answers
24 JULY 1986
United States draft treaty, tabled in the negotiations in April 1984. However, the Soviet Union has refused to negotiate on these ideas.
On 15 July I tabled a new United Kingdom paper at the conference on disarmament, CD715, "Verification and Compliance The Challenge Element" designed to seek a way forward in this vitally important area. Our proposals would give each state a right to request a challenge inspection. The challenged state would then be under an obligation to demonstrate compliance within a tight time scale of 10 days. The obligation would normally be met by comprehensive investigation by an international team; but direct inspection could be refused in exceptional circumstances, subject to the challenged state being able to demonstrate its compliance by other means.
We believe these ideas would impose a stringent political obligation on a challenged state which would deter any contemplated violation; they would at the same time enable a state to safeguard its legitimate security interests.
I have placed copies of the United Kingdom working paper and of my speech to the conference on disarmament in the Library.
In my speech I asked the conference to set itself the goal of presenting a complete chemical weapons invention to -the United Nations General Assembly in 1987. That
remains our aim.
Hong Kong
Sir Paul Bryan asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the state of public and private housing in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 20 May at column 143.
Sir Paul Bryan asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the opportunities for sport available to the people in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: The provision of sports facilities in Hong Kong continues to improve and expand through co- operation between the Hong Kong Government, the municipal councils, the governing bodies of sport and voluntary organisations. Opportunities now exist for the population to participate in almost every type of sporting activity at all levels. Sporting facilities, including multi- purpose indoor stadia, international standard swimming pool complexes, athletics grounds and water sport centres are provided by the urban and regional councils. In addition, since its completion in 1982, the Jubilee sports centre has been the focal point for sports training, and has provided excellent facilities for many sports.
Chile
Mr. Dalyell asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received in relation to recent abuses of human rights in Chile as regards the arrests of Messrs Soto Tellez, Cifuentes Cifuentes, Vega Poza, Ecobar Sanchez, Gamboa Alaredo, Sanhueza Azaredo, Rojas de Negri and Ms Quintana Arancibia; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr. Eggar: None. We share the widely felt concern over the human rights abuses associated with the 2-3 July national strike, especially the death of Sr Rojas and the injuries suffered by Srta Quintana. We welcome the appointment of a civilian judge to investigate these cases and hope that he will report fully on the facts.
Mr. Corbyn asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings with human rights, trade union and community organisations in Chile have been held by British diplomatic staff since November 1984.
Mr. Eggar: We have regular contact with Chilean human rights, trade union and community organisations both in Santiago and London.
El Salvador
Mr. Corbyn asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what human rights organisa- tions in El Salvador have held meetings with British diplomatic representatives in the current year.
Mr. Eggar: This year our representatives in El Salvador have held meetings with two local human rights organisations, the Commission on Human Rights and Tutela Legal, as well as the Roman Catholic Church. They have also met others with an interest in the subject, for example, the London-based El Salvador committee for human rights, the World Council of Churches, Americas Watch, Christian Aid and Oxfam.
President Reagan
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with President Reagan.
Mr. Eggar: My right hon. and learned Friend met President Reagan in Washington on 18 July. They discussed South Africa, East-West relations and the successful conclusion of the United Kingdom-United States supplementary extradition treaty. This meeting followed other talks with Vice-President Bush, Secretary Shultz and Senator Lugar, as well as with Mr. Malcolm Fraser of Australia.
Caste System
Mr. Marlow asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the operation of the caste system at the Commonwealth conference.
Mr. Eggar: The sole subject of the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of seven Commonwealth Heads of Government, scheduled for 3 to 5 August, is the review of the Commonwealth accord on southern Africa agreed last October at Nassau. The question of discussing the operation of the caste system thus does not arise.
Egypt
Mr. Wareing asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the United Kingdom and Egypt and their implications for a middle east peace settlement.
Mr. Renton: Relations between the United Kingdom and Egypt are excellent. As my right hon. Friend the Prime
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