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Written Answers
Parliamentary Questions
30 NOVEMBER 1993
Mr. Robert B. Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current average cost of preparing answers to (a) written and (b) oral parliamentary questions.
Mr. Dorrell: The current average cost of preparing an answer is assessed as £97 for a written question and £225 for an oral question.
Lending Institutions
Mr. Darling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to bring centralised lending institutions within the scope of the Financial Services Act 1986 and the Banking Act 1987.
Mr. Nelson: The Financial Services Act applies to firms carrying on investment business in the United Kingdom. The Banking Act applies to firms engaged in deposit taking in the United Kingdom. There are no plans to amend the scope of either Act.
LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Law Commission Report
Mr. Ainger: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he proposes to bring forward legislation to enact the recommendations of the Law Commission contained in its report "Landlord and Tenant Law: Privity of Contract and Estate”, No. 174; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John M. Taylor: Legislation to give effect to the Government's decision to implement the recommenda- tions in the Law Commission's report "Landlord and Tenant Law: Privity of Contract and Estate"--Law Com. No. 174-for future leases, but not for existing leases, will be introduced as soon as there is a suitable opportunity.
NATIONAL HERITAGE
Arts Funding
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he received on 23 November in regard to the risks to continuity and innovation in the arts of cuts in public funding.
Mr. Brooke: I received a number of representations on 23 November and I have since had a meeting with representatives of the National Campaign for the Arts, the group which organised the lobby of Parliament on that day.
London Orchestras
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what meetings he has held with representatives of (a) the London Philharmonic orchestra, (b) the Philharmonic orchestra and (c) the Royal Philharmonic orchestra since the beginning of the Arts Council's review of the funding of the London orchestras; and if he will make a statement on the matters discussed during such meetings.
Mr. Brooke: I have held no such meetings.
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Written Answers
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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Hong Kong
Dr. Marek: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to repeal the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance in Hong Kong before the handover of the colony in 1997.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: The Hong Kong Government intend to enact in 1994 an omnibus broadcasting Bill to consolidate and update the present legislation on television broadcasting. On enactment of the omnibus broadcasting Bill, the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance will be repealed. This proposal is not related to the transfer of sovereignty in 1997.
Mr. Sims: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whose responsibility it will be to submit an annual report on adherence to the international covenant for civil and political rights within Hong Kong to the United Nations after 1997; and if he will make a
statement.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: China is committed under international law in the joint declaration to ensure that the provisions of the international covenant for civil and political rights as applied to Hong Kong will remain in force after 1997. The responsibility for submitting reports on Hong Kong after 1997 will therefore pass to China. We are discussing with the Chinese in the Sino-British joint liaison group the mechanisms by which this might be achieved.
Dr. Marek: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of Radio Television Hong Kong.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: The Hong Kong Government are continuing to consider the question of corporatisation of Radio Television Hong Kong. No final decisions have been taken.
Dr. Marek: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the Emergency Regulations Ordinance applicable in Hong Kong is in conflict with the Bill of Rights Ordinance.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: The question of whether the Emergency Regulations Ordinance applicable in Hong Kong is consistent with the Bill of Rights Ordinance is currently under review by the Attorney-General of the Hong Kong Government. This review is expected to be completed in December.
Christians (Persecution)
Mrs. Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take over the persecution of Christians for their faith in Pakistan.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : We have regularly raised with the Pakistani Government our concerns about the treatment of all minorities in Pakistan including Christians. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs most recently raised this issue during his visit to Pakistan earlier this month: We shall continue to make known our concerns. .i giiia