TNAG-1026-FCO40-1276-Visit-by-Lord-Carrington--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-1981 — Page 32

PRA)

29. Mr. Leadbitter asked the Lord Privy Seal which countries and parties to the Arab-Israel conflict the Secretary State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs intends to when he goes to the Middle East.

Mr. Hurd: My right hon. and noble Friend has no immediate plans to make a tour of the Middle East.

United Kingdom-Republic of Ireland (Joint Studies)

30. Mr. Kilfedder asked the Lord Privy Seal when he expects the joint studies between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to be completed.

Sir Ian Gilmour: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. friand the Member for Epping Foreul (Mr. Biggs-Davison) earlier today.

HICKC 02612

Angola British

31. Sir Derek Walker-Smit

TRY NO. 51 the Lord Privy

Seal if he will make a state gut gece sition of British

OFFICER,

REGISTRY

Action Taken

citizens, former mercenaries, new-long-held-in-detention-

INDEX in Angola; and what is the expected date of their ren

43.5

Mr. Luce: The seven United Kingdom nationals were convicted in June 1976. Their sentences or mprisonment ranged from 16 to 30 years. They are detained in Sao Paolo prison in Luanda and are now visited regularly by our embassy staff.

Israeli Settlements (West Bank)

Mr. Marlow asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take action through the United Nations with a view to removing Israeli settlements from the West Bank of the Jordan

El Salvador

Mr. Flannery asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will seek to make an official visit to El Salvador in view of the current situation there.

SO.

Mr. Ridley: My right hon. Friend has no plans to do

Mr. Canavan asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement about the recent visit to Hong Kong by his right hon. and noble friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Mr. Blaker: My right hon. and noble Friend visited Hong Kong from 29 March to 1 April. He held discussions with the Governor, officials and community leaders, taking the opportunity to re-emphasise Her Majesty's Government's commitment to Hong Kong. He visited security force units, housing and other developments and the Castle Peak power station site.

United Kingdom Ambassador to Israel

Mr. Arthur Lewis asked the Lord Privy Seal why Mr. John Robinson, the United Kingdom Ambassador to Israel, has resigned his appointment; and who is to succeed him.

Mr. Hurd: Mr. Robinson's request to take retirement has been made for personal reasons, and has nothing to do with his present mission. He has wanted to leave the Diplomatic Service for some time, but agreed to stay on in Tel Aviv until after the Israeli elections. Details of his successor will be announced shortly. He has been an admirable ambassador and I am sorry that he is leaving the service.

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