53
Written Answers
8 JUNE 1982
Records Act 1958, whereby Departments may retain. nsitive records related to security and intelligence. matters. No decision has yet been taken on the period of closure.
British Atlantic Committee
Miss Maynard asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much financial and other assistance has been given by his Department to the British Atlantic Committee in each year since it was established.
Mr. Hurd: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made the following grants to the British Atlantic Committee for its work in promoting NATO:
1964-65
1965-66
£
5,800
4,893
41-1966-67 04o|| 4,800
04011
1967-68
5,400
1968-69
5,400
1969-70
9,450
1970-71 AUTZPOZ
10,000
*1971-72
18,000
†1972-73
***18,637
1973-74
10,000
1974-75
1975-76
W
10,000
1976-77
PG $5,000
HQ,000
1977-78
15,000
1978-79
15,000
1979-80
17,000
1980-81 $1981-82
17,700
33,185
* Includes an exceptional grant of £8,000 for the annual meeting of the Atlantic Treaty Association in London.
† Includes £8,637 for a special conference.
+ Includes an exceptional grant of £6,685 for the annual meeting of the ATA in London.
Earlier records could have been obtained only at disproportionate costs.
嘻
The British Atlantic Committee, like many other non- governmental organisations concerned with arms control, makes use of information material produced by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Úganda
Mr. George Robertson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise at the United Nations as a violation of human rights certain current practices by the Government of Uganda; and if he will make a statement.
44
Mr. Onslow: No. President Obote is aware of our concern about continuing reports of violence in Uganda.. He faces a difficult task in restoring law and order in a country where political tensions remain high. At the recent meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the United Kingdom co-sponsored a Ugandan draft resolution which was adopted by consensus requesting member States and the United Nations Secretary-General to give assistance to Uganda in the human rights field.
Argentine (Arms Supply)
Mr. Marlow asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to the origin and movement of the Israeli-manufactured bombs recently found in the United States of America apparently destined for the Argentine.
27
Written Answers
So Clips (see (334
Mr. Hurd: The Israeli Government have told us that all the military equipment in question was destined exclusively for Ecuador.
Falkland Islands Trading Company
Mr. Skinner asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will investigate the reported collaboration by the Falkland Islands Trading Company with the Argentine forces in respect of goods and materials essential to their military operations; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Onslow: I note that there has been a report alleging collaboration by the Falkland Islands company with the Argentine forces. I have no confirmation of this, and such information as I have suggests that Argentine forces obliged the company's employees to sign receipts for goods which had in fact been commandeered from them. Once British administration in the Falkland Islands is restored, it will be for the authorities there to consider whether an investigation is warranted.
Antarctic Treaty
to HK
coprail
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plo 2116
Sir Bernard Braine asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether intergovern- mental contacts or preparatory work have been undertaken in preparation for the renewal of the Antarctic treaty.
Mr. Onslow: No. The Antarctic treaty remains in force indefinitely. There is provision for a review of the operation of the treaty after it has been in force for 30 years that is in 1991-if this is requested by any of the contracting parties which have demonstrated their interest in Antarctica by conducting substantive scientific research activity there. Intergovernmental contacts between the consultative parties to the treaty take place regularly on other aspects of Antarctic activity.
Hong Kong
Sir Bernard Braine asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether intergovern- mental contacts or preparatory work have been undertaken in preparation for the expiry of the lease on the New Territories and in relation to the future status and administration of Hong Kong.
Mr. Rifkind; Hong Kong has been raised in a number of ministerial discussions with Chinese leaders. Both we and the Chinese Government are studying the question of the future of the territory and both sides are agreed on the vital importance of its continued prosperity and stability.
Vienna Conference (Disarmament)
Sir Bernard Braine asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the Vienna conference on mutual and balanced force reductions in Central Europe have been held and between what dates; and on what points of substance agreement has so far been reached.
Mr. Hurd: 307 plenary meetings have been held since 1973. Both sides have agreed in principle on reductions to a common ceiling of 900,000 troops, beginning with United States and Soviet forces. Substantive progress has
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