615
Written Answers
28 JUNE 1978
In the case of the Slepak and Nudel trials on 21st June observers were not admitted.
Barents Sea (Oil Exploration) Mr. Sproate asked the Secretary of
State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration, under Basket 2 of the Helsinki Agreement, he is giv ing to the help that would be provided to the Soviet economy by an agreement to proceed following negotiations between British Petroleum and the Soviet authori- ties regarding exploration and production of oil in the Barents Sea; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Luard: Discussions are continu- ing between British Petroleum and the Soviet authorities about oil exploration in the Barents Sea but no agreement has yet been reached. Commercial arrange- ments of this kind are seen by the Gov- ernment primarily as means of improving the balance of Anglo-Soviet bilateral trade, rather than as action to fulfil the Final Act's provisions on economic co- operation.
42
Passports (Delays)
Mr. Eldon Griffiths asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the fact that delays of up to six weeks are now occurring in the issue of passports at the Passport Office in Peterborough and that the tele- phone operator at the Passport Office in London has advised hon. Members that there are delays of up to four days in telephone calls to officials in Peter- borough, and bearing in mind the hard- ships and loss of business being caused to people wishing to visit ill or distressed relatives or sell British products abroad, if he will take immediate steps to remove this impediment to the right of travel.
Mr. Luard: There is an unprecedented increase in demand for passports this year. During April the increase at the Peterborough office was 81 per cent. As a consequence, it is taking five to six weeks to issue non-urgent passports instead of the normal four weeks. The many passports required urgently for compa- sionate or business reasons and with the minimum of notice are given priority to meet the stated dates of travel. Some reallocation of work is taking place to reduce the difficulties at Peterborough.
31 N 33
Written Answers
618
The telephones at all passport offices, as in other organisations under severa pressure, are frequently engaged and a little perseverence is necessary to contact them by this means. The staff are work- ing hard and successfully over long hours to cope with the exceptional work load and my right hon. Friend cannot accept of travel. that there is any impediment to the right
British Oil Interests (South Atlantic)
Mr. James Johnson asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs what steps he is taking to protect British oil interests in the South Atlantic, particularly in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands and their dependen- cies.
Mr. Rowlands: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Ogden). :
Falkland Islands
Mr. James Johnson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action has been taken regarding the harassment of foreign trawlers by Argentine naval vessels and aircraft in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands.
Mr. Rowlands: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Sir N Fisher).
Hong Kong
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement of the cir cumstances under which HK$320,000 was returned to the Golden Jubileo Secondary School in Hong Kong by the Precious Blood administration.
Mr. Luard: The former principal of the Golden Jubilee School diverted HK$305,200 from school funds to those of the Precious Blood Order. This sum, together with accrued interest, was repaid to the school by the order in March 1978, when the facts about what hap- pened had been established.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that sufficient control
HKK 280/1
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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 - 3 JUL 1978
PA
RESISTRY Action TAN
DESK OFFICER INDEX
DATE
28/6178
COL. 616W
VOL.
952
Copies 2. Gries / But to HK
НК CLE
12/7/25
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