TNAG-0443-FCO40-508-Parliamentary-Question-regarding-visit-of-James-Callaghan--S-1974 — Page 3

19

COL.................

880

1 NOVEMBER 1974

set up two sub-groups, one medical and the other environmental, charged with the preparation of a draft for a code of practice. Very good progress has been made. The draft on environmental con- trol, including monitoring, is sufficiently advanced to be placed before a meeting of the working group due to take place on 18th November. The draft for medi- cal supervision is taking somewhat longer to prepare, but some guidance should be available for early publication in the code.

I am grateful to representatives from both sides of industry for co-operating with my officials in the preparation of this code.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Hong Kong

Mr. Sillars asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to make an official visit to Hong Kong.

Mr. Equals: My right hon. Friend has no present plans for a visit.

Pitcairn Island

Mr. Biggs-Davison asked the Secret- tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs whether he will make a siaterment about the constitutional future of Pitcairn Island.

Miss Joan Lestor: The islanders run their internal affairs through the Island Council, constituted by a Local Govern- ment Ordinance of 1964. The council comprises the following 10 members:

(1) An island magistrate, elected triennially who is chairman;

(2) Three elected councillors, elected each December, one of whom is the Chairman of the Internal Committee;

(3) The Island Secretary, a public officer, serving ex officio;

()) One member appointed by

by the ! Governor ;

(5) Two members chosen by the elected members;

(6) Two non-voting advisory members, one chosen by the Governor and one chosen ! by the rest of the council.

The following declaration was unani- mously made by the Island Council on 16th June 1968:

"Having noted the discussions which had taken place from time to time in the United

2 3 15

CAST

DAPER

Written Answers

20

Nations Committee on Colonialism about the future status of the remaining smaller Colonial territories; and having also noted that the British Colony of the Pitcairn Islands is one of the territories considered by the Committee, the Pitcairn Island Council declares that it has no present wish to seek to change the nature of the relationship between the Government and people of Pitcairn and the Government of the United Kingdom but if, at any time, change should be desirable, the Council has full confidence that this can and will be negotiated satisfactorily by free agreements between those whose sole concern it is. The Council further declares that independent statehood would be administratively and economically impracticable for the small isolated island community of Pitcairn."

The declaration has not been rescinded, nor has the Island Council expressed any wish for a change in status. In the opinion of Her Majesty's Government it still accurately reflects the views of the people of Pitcairn, who at present number 63.

Indonesia

Mr. Frank Allaun asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many warships he intends to permit to be sold to the Government of Indonesia; whether an order has beca placed; and where the ships are to be built.

Mr. Ennals: The Indonesian navy invited tenders from British firms for the supply of four corvettes. Negotiations are still in train; if a British shipbuilder is successful in securing a firm contract, it is the intention of Her Majesty's Goy- ernment to let this order go ahead.

Mr. Newens asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will inform the Indonesian authorities that no further good-will or routine visits by the British Navy will be permitted to Indonesian perts until he is satisfied that the treatment of 70,000 Indonesian political prisoners does not infringe internationally accepted stan- dards of human rights.

Mr. Eunals: No: such visits are an important element in maintaining the good relations with the Government of the South-East Asian region which it is our policy to sustain.

North Atlantic Assembly

Sir G. de Freitas asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been made in

Copied to. bot. See Hong Kong Ncartes

Mon 7/11