499
Written Answers
20 DECEMBER 1968
Mr. Edward Short: An annual increase of about 6 per cent. between 1950-60 and 1967-68 enabled standards to be improved for rising numbers of pupils and students. An annual increase of about/3 per cent. over the next four years would enable existing standards to be maintained for ing numbers. In each of the next two
s I expect expenditure on education to rise by about per cent. in real terms. This should allow for an improvement in staffing standards in the schools: else- where there will be only limited room for improvements in standards.
E.S.R.O. Satellite Project
Mr. Murray asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the United Kingdom is to participate in the TDI satellite project which is to be under- taken by the European Space Research Organisation as a special project suppor- ted by a group of member states; and whether this will involve an additional payment to the European Space Research Organisation.
Mrs. Shirley Williams: The U.K. was the first to sign the formal Arrangement to participate in this important project. Six other E.S.R.O. member states have also now signed, one subject to ratifica- tion, and two more are expected to do so shortly. It is hoped that the Arrange- ment will come into force by 1st January, 1969. This does not involve an increase in the U.K. subscription to E.S.R.O.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
AFFAIRS
Prisoners and Detainees, Hong Kong (Clothing)
Mr. Malcolm MacMillan asked the Sec- retary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs why Chinese prisoners and those detained without trial in Hong Kong have not been allowed to accept warm clothing sent to them during the winter months by the Red Cross and relatives and friends.
Mr. Whitlock: All convicted prisoners are provided with adequate clothing on scales laid down by the Hong Kong Gov- crnment. Prisoners are not allowed to have private clothing in addition.
Persons in detention have been free to use their own clothing; and there
8 1 21
Written Answers
500
have been no restrictions on clothing sent to them by relatives or friends. I am not aware of any offer of clothing by the Red Cross to persons in detention.
I am satisfied that no convicted prisoner or person in detention has any cause for complaint about the adequacy of the warmth of clothing.
Falkland Islands and Dependencies (Geological Survey)
Mr. Biggs-Davison asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will arrange for a complete geological survey of the Falk- land Islands and dependencies, with par- ticular reference to oil.
Mr. Mulley: In view of information already available on the Falkland Islands it is not considered necessary for a new geological survey to be undertaken since it is unlikely that, even with the use of modern techniques, it would reveal any valuable mineral deposits.
Oil is most unlikely to be found in the South Sandwich Islands are entirely vol- Falkland Islands Dependencies. The
canic and some volcanoes are active now. Many geological surveys/have been under- taken in South Georgia since 1913 and reports are available. The British Ant- undertaking a large scale geological sur- arctic Survey is at the present moment
vey in that island.
Parliamentary Delegation (Travelling Expenses)
Mr. Roebuck/asked the .cretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what authority he paid money out of public funds in respect of the travelling expenses of Parliamentarians for the British delegation to the confer- ence at The Hague on 9th-10th Novem- ber.
Mr. Nulley Money from
:
Public Funds in respect of the travelling ex- penses of Parliamentarians for the British delegation to the Corference at The Hague on 9th to 10th November Treasury as part of the current Foreign was authorised in the normal way by the
Services Vote on the recommendation of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
H.R
104
!
↑
DATE 20 DEC 68
COL. 499-500
VOL 175
Q & A sent
b. H X
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.