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Written Answers
19 OCTOBER 1982
The Services-including Hong Kong seamen and their
families
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
The Chinese Manufacturers Association
The Federation of Hong Kong Industries
Leading Hong Kong Businessmen
The Commonwealth Commissioners
The Urban Council
Urban District Boards
New Territories District Boards
The Heung Yee Kuk
Traditional Community leaders
The Hong Kong Observers
The Zonta Club
The British Council
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees The media
Mr. Parry asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with democratic reform in Hong Kong, particularly as it affects the poorer sections of the community.
The Prime Minister: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Atkins) on 2 March 1982. Since then, district boards elections have been held successfully in the New Territories on 4 March 1982 and in the urban areas on 23 September 1982.
Equal Opportunities Commission (Report)
Miss Joan Lestor asked the Prime Minister whether she has received a copy of the report on women and public bodies by the Equal Opportunities Commission; and if she will make a statement.
The Prime Minister: I welcome the two reports recently issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and hope that initiatives taken by this Government and the Equal Opportunities Commission to encourage more women to allow their names to go forward for appointment to public bodies will lead to faster progress being made.
Departmental Ministers, to whom the reports have also been copied, are considering the statistics relating to the bodies to which they make appointments and will be responding directly to the commission. My noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal is in touch with the Equal Opportunities Commission to discuss issues raised in the reports and to consider possible improvements.
DEFENCE
Ulster Defence Regiment
45. Sir John Biggs-Davison asked the Secretary of State for Defence what flags are flown, regularly and on which special occasions, on Ulster Defence Regiment headquarters and bases; and whether there has been any change; and, if so, what are the changes and why they have been made.
Mr. Wiggin: The regimental flag is flown at all times at the Ulster Defence Regiment headquarters in Lisburn. At other Ulster Defence Regiment locations either the battalion flag or the Union flag or both may be flown. It is, however, for the battalion commanding officer to decide which flag or flags are flown at the bases under his command, and when they are flown. There has been no change in this policy.
Written Answers
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Sex Education
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42. Sir John Biggs-Davison asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will issue advice to local education authorities that they should provide for the withdrawal on conscientious grounds of children from sex education in classes.
Dr. Boyson: We have repeatedly made it clear that there should be the fullest consultation and co-operation between schools and parents about the way in which sex education is provided. Such co-operation should enable difficulties to be resolved. We have also introduced regulations which from this term require details of the manner and context in which sex education is given to be published for all maintained schools.
Teacher Training
43. Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he has decided to end initial teacher training at the Polytechnic of North London; if he has taken into consideration the need for facilities for mature students of Caribbean origin for areas with a high proportion of pupils from ethnic minorities; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Waldegrave: The proposal that initial teacher training should be discontinued at the Polytechnic of North London is provisional. No decisions have yet been made. We will take into account a wide range of considerations including those to which the hon. Member refers. I received a deputation from the Polytechnic today, and recently met representatives of the Inner London Education Authority.
44. Mr. Parker asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will receive a deputation of local hon. Members on the proposals to end teacher training at the North Essex Polytechnic.
Mr. Waldegrave: I have agreed to meet the hon. Member and other hon. Members on Wednesday 20 October.
RRS "Discovery"
Mr. Shersby asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards the refurbishment of RRS "Discovery"; for how long has she been lying in St. Katherine's dock; when it is expected that she will be restored to her place on the River Thames; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Channon: The RRS "Discovery" is owned by the Maritime Trust, an independent body for which I am not responsible. I understand that the "Discovery" has been lying in St Katherine's dock since March 1980. Arrangements for its refurbishment and for placing it in a permanent berth are matters primarily for the trust. When those tasks have been completed, the National Maritime Museum-for which I have ministerial responsibility-will provide displays on board the "Discovery" to illustrate the ship's history and will maintain it as a museumn facility open to the public, under an agreement with the trust.
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