TNAG-0945-FCO40-1164-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 84

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"Written Answers"

29 OCTOBER 1980

(article 161); and the respective powers and functions of these two organs' (articles 160 an

Mr. Hadley asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish, as a White Paper the text of the Convention an the Law of the Sea as finally agreed by the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.

Mr. Luce: A new informal text was issued after the conclusion of the resumed ninth session of the conference. It has been distributed as a document and, like previous texts, will be the basis for further discussion. It would not be ap- propriate to publish it as a White Paper, but copies have been placed in the Library.

Arms Control and Disarmament Mr. Hooley asked the Lord Privy Seal what matters in relation to arms control and disarmament are currently being studied by his Department.

Mr. Luce: The arms control and dis- armament field covers a wide range of issues. Those of greatest current interest to us are described in Issue No. 5 of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's newsletter. Arms Control and Disarma- ment", copies of which are available in Library of the House.

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Mr. Hooley asked the Lord Privy Seal how many persons currently are em- ployed in the arms control and disarma- ment department of the Foreign Office and of approximately what grades.

Mr. Luce: The arms control and disarmament department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including the research unit, has a staff of 15 at present. It is headed by a coun- sellor, assisted by three first secretaries, three second secretaries, two third secre- taries and six secretarial/clerical staff.

USSR (Jewish Emigrés)

Mr. Hooley asked the Lord Privy Seal, in the light of the forthcoming Madrid conference on co-operation and security in Europe, what information her Majesty's Government have about the numbers of Jewish people who have emigrated from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics since the signing of the Helsinki agree-

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Written Answers

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ment in 1975; and if he will publish the figures for each of the past five years so far as they are known.

Mr. Blaker: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 27 October.

Hong Kong

Mr. Hooley asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give an assurance that the nationality rights of the present Hong Kong citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies will be preserved in the event of any change in the political status of Hong Kong.

Mr. Blaker: There are no plans to change the political status of Hong Kong.

Mr. Hooley asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government accepts the stated position of the Chinese Government that the treaties concerning the status of Hong Kong are invalid and not binding on China.

Mr. Blaker: Her Majesty's Govern- ment's view of the status of Hong Kong was set out in a letter addressed by the United Kingdom permanent representa- tive to the United Nations to the United Nations Secretary-General of 14 Decem- ber 1972.

Mr. Hooley asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the political future of Hong Kong was discussed in the talks in Octo- ber in London between the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and Mr. Huang Hua; and what was the outcome of those discussions.

Mr. Blaker: No.

Second Peking Convention Mr. Hooley asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is the intention of the British and Chinese Governments to extend, mod- ify, annul or otherwise vary the Second Convention of Peking 1898; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Blaker: We have not discussed this matter with the Chinese Government.

Colonies (Death Penalty)

Mr. Marks asked the Lord Privy Seal in which British colonies the death pen- alty for murderers is still in force; how many people are awaiting sentence or trial in each colony; and what are the

DATE 29.10.80

COL. VOL. 991