2·2·88
PUSD.
MR. KIM PHILBY
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is their intention to seek an injunction (or other appropriate instrument) in the Soviet courts to prevent Mr. Kim Philby, widely believed to have been an officer of M16, from taking part in the five-part television feature to be called "The Game" in that country, and if not why not.
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern): The Government only initiate proceedings which they are advised have a reasonable prospect of
success.
CAFD
CUBAN TROOPS IN ANGOLA
Lord Burton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make representations to the Cuban Government concerning the reported increase in the numbers of their fighting men in Angola in recent weeks.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur): The Cuban Government are well aware of our view that the withdrawal of all foreign troops (Cuban from Angola and South
African from Angola and Namibia) would create the best conditions for lasting peaceful settlement in the region.
ИКА
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have studied the three reports made during 1986 and 1987 by Oxfam, Hong Kong, on the Vietnamese refugees now in Hong Kong; whether they accept some or all of their recommendations; and, if so, what progress is being made in implementing them.
Lord Glenarthur: I am aware of the three reports to which the noble Lord refers. Some of the recommendations contained in the two reports published in 1986 have been or are being pursued by ourselves and the Hong Kong Government. The third report has only recently been received and is being studied. I shall write to the noble Lord in detail on our response in due course.
reus 243/4
- 3 FEB 1988
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луби р
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118
pse
PIA
BIRMINGHAM PUB BOMBINGS
--Lord-Brougham-and. Vaux asked Her Majesty's
Government:
Whether, following the decision of the Court of Appeal to uphold the convictions of the men in the Birmingham Pub bombings case, they have any plans to recommend the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in their cases.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers): My right honourable friend has noted the decision of the Court of Appeal. I understand that an application is to be made for leave to appeal to this House. Where, following a reference by my right honourable friend, the Court of Appeal has considered the issues at length, we would not think it right to intervene in the absence of any indication from the courts that my right honourable friend should consider doing so.
Written Answers
CRD
ENGLISH TEACHING IN THE ARAB WORLD
Lord Mayhew asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to increase the direct teaching of English in the Arab world, in which countries and at what expense.
The Minister of State for Defence Procurement British Council, the (Lord Trefgarne): The Government's main agency for the teaching of English overseas, maintains 17 direct teaching of English (DTE) operations in 12 countries in the Arab world. Expansion is currently under way in Jordan, where the operation has been granted a five-year loan (beginning 1987–88) of £60,000 from central British Council funds for the establishment of a special courses centre. Some modest expansion is planned in Jordan without loan or subvention from central council funds; but demand overall in Saudi Arabia, as elsewhere in the region, has recently declined.
CSLE
HELSINKI FINAL ACT: IMPLEMENTATION
Lord Orr-Ewing asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make a statement on progress in the implementation by the USSR and Eastern European countries of the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act during the last six months.