759
Written Answers
23 NOVEMBER 1977
the European Commission in Brussels to accept Hong Kong's case that the new textile agreement should not discriminate against Hong Kong; if he is aware of the concern in Hong Kong including the danger of reaction against buying British equipment; and if he will take steps to safeguard the economic interests of this British colony.
Mr. Luard: My right hon. Friend is fully aware of Britain's constitutional re- sponsibilities to Hong Kong. The Gov- ernment have done their best to see that Hong Kong's interests do not suffer unduly, while at the same time ensuring the necessary protection for the British textile industry. Hong Kong is aware of our efforts.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the number of tourists who visited Hong Kong in each of the past five years from the following countries: the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to the latest available date.
Mr. Luard: Following is the infor- mation:
United States of America: 1973-221,921; 1974-230,995; 1975—183,635; 1976–238,605; 1977 (up to September)-177,628.
United Kingdom: 1973-44,430; 1974– 43,060; 1975-47,477; 1976-57,783; 1977 (up to September)--49,909.
Japan: 1973-486,677; 1974-423,098; 1975 —382,740; 1976–437,931; 1977 (up to Septem- ber)-377,433.
Australia: 1973-86,060 ; 1974-105,429 ; 1975-127,112; 1976–157,360; 1977 (up to September)-118,063.
New Zealand: 1973-11,928; 1974-12,472 ; 1975-13,634; 1976-18,316; 1977 (up to September)-17,139.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the security arrangements at the Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Luard: Security arrangements at Kai Tak Airport are under regular review. My right hon. Friend is satisfied with the current arrangements.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there have been any attempted hijack-
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ings of aircraft at the Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong, during the past five years.
Mr. Luard: No.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the arrival of a private plane from the Philippines containing five alleged political refugees at Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong, during 1977, who subsequently boarded a flight to the United States of America via the transit lounge without completing normal immigration and other airport procedures.
Mr. Luard: The passengers who were on the aircraft appear to have been in transit only. They did not leave Hong Kong airport. There were no immigra- tion procedures to be completed and there is no evidence that any breach of Hong Kong law took place.
Southern Africa
Mr. Arnold asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he remains satisfied with staffing levels in Lusaka, Maputo, Dar- es-Salaam and Gaberone in the light of the importance he currently attaches to Southern Africa.
Mr. Tomlinson: Yes. My right hon. Friend remains satisfied with their present staffing levels. As in all countries where we have diplomatic and consular repre- sentation, these levels will be kept constantly under review.
Pakistan
are
Mr. MacGregor asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom based staff and locally engaged staff employed in the British High Commission in Pakistan; and what is the total annual running cost for 1977-78.
The
Mr. Tomlinson: There are 70 United Kingdom-based and 93 locally-engaged staff employed at the British embassy in Pakistan who are borne on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Vote. total annual running cost for 1977-78 is £1.14 million, which relates to expen- diture borne by the Foreign and Com- monwealth Office together with relatively small expenditure borne by Her Majesty's Stationery Office and by the Property
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