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Written Answers
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COL. 256 W
880 8. NOVEMBER 1974
1974, if he will take imme- diate action to remedy this by seeking powers to exempt student accommoda- tion from the requirement to be registered with a recognised educational institution.
Mr. Fresson: I am not aware of evi-
dence, as distinct from allegations, that any current shortage of accommodation available to students has arisen from the provisions of the Rent Act 1974; but I am considering the possibility of meas- ures to exclude registered student lettings from full security of tenure.
Mr. Rossi asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how long it takes in Greater London for an appeal to be determined by a rent assessment com- mittee from the date of a rent officer's decision giving the details area by area.
Mr. Freeson: Figures area by area are not immediately available, but I will make inquiries to see whether I can provide fuller information for the hon. Member, and will write to him.
At present, the time between a rent officer's decision and a rent assessment committee's decision is on average eight and a half months, which includes an average of two and a half months between the rent officer's decision and submission of an objection.
Local Government Costs
Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg asked the Sec- retary of State for the Environment if he will publish such figures as are available to him showing the comparison between the government costs in England and Wales before and since reorganisation taking account of charges caused by function transference.
Mr. Johu Silkin: These figures are not available. We have as yet no final ex- expenditure figures for 1974-75, the first year of reorganised local government.
Water Storage (The Wash)
Mr. Blenkinsop asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on the feasibility study of water storage in the Wash.
Mr. Denis Howell: Approval has now been given for the construction next year of an offshore trial bank in the Wash. An inshore bank has already been com-
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pleted and the new bank will provide the further information required to enable reliable estimates to be made of the cost of building storage reservoirs in the Wash. Work on the ecological, economic and social aspects will be completed in the publish a report on the study in the spring course of next year and it is hoped to
of 1976.
FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Hong Kong
Mr. Sillars asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in Hong Kong hold British passports; and how many of these would be permitted unimpeded access to the United Kingdom under current immigration laws.
Mr. Ennals: I cannot say how many people in Hong Kong hold currently valid British passports. Two hundred and forty-six thousand, four hundred and eighty-four Hong Kong British passports were issued between 1st January 1965 and 31st October 1974 and a high pro- portion of these are still valid. Only a very small number of the holders of these passports would be permitted unimpeded access to the United Kingdom under current immigration laws.
Mr. Sillars asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what, in 1973, was the average weekly industrial wage in Hong Kong; and what was the average number of hours worked for that wage.
Mr. Ennals: There are no published figures of average weekly industrial wages in Hong Kong. However, the average daily wage for industrial workers in March 1973 was HK$ 24-35, including fringe benefits, and HK$21, excluding fringe benefits. There is no figure for average hours worked, but the normal hours of work per day for the majority of industrial workers are about eight, depending on industry and occupation, with some cases up to 10. a few up to 11 and some of less than eight.
Mr. Sillars asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the present rates of income tax and corporation tax in Hong Qo A sent to Be Sec HR Henst
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