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DATE 2.91
25 JULY 1988
Written Answers COL.
Mrs. Chalker: The equal opportunofficer Ti
and female.
Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports have now been made to his Department over the events surrounding the Hong Kong stock exchange crash in October 1987; and if he will make a statement on any action to be taken by the Hong Kong Government.
Mrs. Chalker: The Hong Kong Government have been in close and regular touch with us about developments since the events of October 1987. We welcome the recommendations for reform made by the Securities Review Committee, appointed by the Hong Kong Government, in its report published on 2 June. The Hong Kong Government, together with the industry itself, are acting as quickly as possible
as possible to implement the recommendations. An independent statutory regulatory body, the Securities and Futures Commission, is to be established as soon as the necessary legislation can be introduced. The Hong Kong stock exchange has just adopted important constitutional reforms which will make its governing body more broadly based and representative. We are confident that this prompt and decisive response will help to maintain and enhance Hong Kong's reputation as an international financial centre.
Broadcasting Exhibition
Mr. Temple-Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to broadcasting to the world to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
Mrs. Chalker: We understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for this exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall for a week from 7 November.
Diplomatic Relations
Mr. Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with which member countries of the United Nations the United Kingdom does not have full and normal diplomatic relations.
Mrs. Chalker: We do not have full and normal diplomatic relations with the following member states of the United Nations:
The People's Socialist Republic of Albania The Argentine Republic
Cambodia
Libya
Syria
We do not have diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Bhutan, but maintain friendly contacts and conduct official business with its embassy in New Delhi.
Kampuchea
Mr. Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received regarding the present situation in Kampuchea; and if he will make a statement.
Written Answers
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Mrs. Chalker: We have received a number of inquiries from Members of Parliament and the public about our policy on Cambodia. Our general policy was set out by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State in the Foreign Affairs debate on 30 June. We welcome the talks between the parties to the dispute that are due to take place in Indonesia on 25 July and hope that they will in due course lead to a peaceful settlement of the problem.
Nicaragua
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will assign a full-time ambassador to Nicaragua, based in Managua; and if he will make a
statement.
Mrs. Chalker: We have no plans to make further appointments to the embassy in Managua for the time. being, but diplomatic staffing levels at all posts overseas are kept under review.
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to visit Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Chalker: My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to visit Nicaragua.
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been (a) the staffing and (b) the running costs of Her Majesty's embassy in Nicaragua in each year since 1979.
Mrs. Chalker: (a) There was no resident diplomatic staff at Her Majesty's embassy, Managua from 1979 to 1984. A resident chargé d'affaires was appointed in mid- 1984. A second secretary was appointed in late 1986, and a third secretary in February 1988. In addition, Her Majesty's ambassador at San Jose, and three/four members of his diplomatic staff have been and continue to be accredited to Managua. A defence attaché and a first secretary are accredited from Panama City.
(b) Since the embassy at Managua is supervised by that in San Jose, the two posts are accounted for jointly. Because many members of the embassy at San Jose have dual accreditation, it is difficult to isolate those costs pertaining only to Managua. The total costs for San Jose since 1983 (the earliest year for which the figures are available) have ranged from around £300,000 to around £500,000 of which we estimate that about 25 per cent. is attributable to Managua.
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits have been made to Nicaragua by Her Majesty's ambassador accredited to that country in each year since 1979.
Mrs. Chalker: Approximate figures since 1982, the earliest year for which figures are available, are as follows:
Visits
1982
4
1983
7
1984
1985
9
1986
5
Colqu
1987
16
1988
4
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1 And one by charge in San Jose.
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