TNAG-0872-FCO40-1082-Legislation-for-employment-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 4

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Written Answers

LAST PAPER

Mr Gulle

333

Rhodesia or constitute a threat to that country.

PA

Written Answers

2 YOU

26 OCTOBER 1979

RIG RECEIVED IN RE lished by the Nigerian authorities on 6 April 1978: a copy has been placed in the Library. I regret that information on OFFICER which of the companies listed involves British interests is not readily available and could not be provided without is proportionate cost. The decrée required all foreign-owned companies to sell a proportion of their shares to Nigerian citizens. So far as 1 am aware, nearly all the firms involved have now complied with the decree, and in no case have we been asked to make formal representa- tions.

Company Profiés (Transmission) Mr. Richard Shepherd asked the Lord Privy Seal what restrictions have been placed by the Governments of Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania, respectively, on the transmission of profits to Great Britain by British-owned companies; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Blaker: As regards Nigeria, there are no restrictions on the remittance of dividends. For management and techni- cal fees the maximum remittance allowed is 3 per cent of net profit. There are also restrictions on the remittance of pro- ceeds of indigenisation: only 300,000 naira be remitted every six months

may from the proceeds of the sale of shares. A maximum of 30 per cent of consultancy fees may be remitted.

There are no particular restrictions on transmission of profits from Ghana and Tanzania. But in both cases remittance of funds is subject to foreign exchange being made available.

Hong Kong

Mr. Cryer asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take steps to raise stan- dards of safety, employment protection and trade union rights in Hong Kong to those of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Blaker: These are matters for the

Hong Kong Government. The progress being made in these fields is illustrated by the steadily increasing number of Inter- national Labour Organisation conventions being applied in the territory. Hong Kong's record compares favourably with that of any country in the region.

Nigeria (Company Nationalisation)

Mr. Richard Shepherd asked the Lord Privy Seal how many British companies have been affected by the policy of the Nigerian Government to nationalise a per- centage of foreign-owned companies; and if he is satisfied with the arrangements for compensation and for the transmission of such compensation to the United King- doin.

Mr. Blaker: A list of 993 foreign enterprises affected by the Nigerian enter- prises promotion decree of 1977 was pub-

11 A 43

Rhodesia

Mr. Denzil Davies asked the Lord Privy Seal if he proposes to set up a fund to compensate landowners in Zimbabwe- Rhodesia; what would be its purpose; and what would be the estimated cost to public funds of the British contribution.

Mr. Neil Marten: No. If the future Government of a legally independent Zimbabwe should establish an institution to plan, finance and implement an agri- cultural settlement and development pro- gramme which might include the purchase of land, we would be prepared to con- tribute to the programme from within the overseas aid budget.

EMPLOYMENT

Homeworkers

Mr. John Grant asked the Secretary of safety regulations affecting homeworkers State for Employment when health and will be finalised by the Health and Safety Commission.

Mr. Mayhew: I am informed by the chairman that the Health and Safety Commission expects to begin consulta- tions on draft regulations early next year.

Pneumoconiosis (Compensation)

Mr. Wigley asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for compensation under the Pneumo- coniosis etc. (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 have been received by his De- partment so far; how many of these have been accepted for further investigation; and how many have been rejected.

Mr. Mayhew: 2,179 applications have so far been received; 149 applicants have been told that they do not appear to

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