269
"
Written Answers
12 JULY 1982
eeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers to review progress in implementing the recent price settlement and its effect on Community solidarity.
Mr. Peter Walker: The Council of Agriculture Ministers is due to meet on 19-20 July.
Bankruptcies
Miss Maynard asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what percentage of farmers have gone bankrupt in the last year.
Mr. Peter Walker: The number of bankruptcies (receiving orders administered) in agriculture and horticulture in England and Wales in the year ending March 1982 was 71. This represents approximately 0.04 per cent, of unincorporated farming businesses in England and Wales. Comparable figures are not available for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
European Community
Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount of subsidy paid by the European Economic Community for the export of subsidised food to other nations outside the European Economic Community by member states of the European Economic Community in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will express this total as an amount per day.
Mr. Peter Walker: I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount of food and fish, respectively, which was destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce in 1981; and if he will specify the individual amounts of each commodity which was destroyed or otherwise disposed of.
Mr. Peter Walker: I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount spent by the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce in paying subsidies to enable cheap food to be sent to foreign countries; and what were the comparable totals for each of the previous six years.
Mr. Peter Walker: I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Hong Kong (Vietnamese Refugees)
Dr. Edmund Marshall asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the number of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong increased by 813 between 7 April and 30 June.
Mr. Rifkind: Since early May the rate of arrival of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong has exceeded the rate of resettlement. The rate of arrival normally increases during the summer months. At the same time it has become harder to find resettlement places.
139
Written Answers
Port Stanley (Runway)
270
Mr. Arnold asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the condition of the runway at Port Stanley; whether he proposes to lengthen it; and what estimate he has made of the cost of bringing it to the requisite standard for the use of long-range civil aircraft.
HKK 243
Mr. Onslow: The runway has a number of craters, which are being repaired. It is currently usable by light aircraft and military transport such as the C130. We are looking into the question of lengthening it. To take long- range jets it would be necessary to extend the runway at least to 10,000 feet. Detailed study will be needed before an estimate of the likely cost can be given.
1996 United Nations Law of the Sea Convention $2.
No
Mr. Hooley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision is likely to be made concerning the ratification by the United Kingdom of the United Nations law of the sea treaty.
Mr. Rifkind: The Law of the Sea Convention will open for signature and ratification after the Final Act has been signed, probably in December. The decision on what attitude the United Kingdom should adopt will depend on the examination now being conducted into the results of the conference.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will seek to ensure that before any final signature of the United Nations law of the sea convention, there will be removed from the proposed agreement any proposals concerning deep sea mining and the status of uninhabited islands; and whether he will make a further statement on the law of the sea conference;
(2) whether, having regard to the provision in the law of the sea convention that uninhabited islands shall have no exclusive economic zone, it will be permissible to continue to measure the British exclusive fishery zone from Rockall, St. Kilda and other uninhabited offshore islands;
(3) whether Her Majesty's Government intend to declare a 12 miles territorial sea limit consequent upon any agreement on this at the law of the sea conference.
Mr. Rifkind: We are examining the texts which have emerged from the Law of the Sea Conference in the light of all the United Kingdom interests involved and the attitudes of other Governments. Any decision about the convention or issues connected with it will depend on the results of this examination.
Dr. Ralph Pinder-Wilson
Mr. Moate asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government in order to try to secure the release from imprisonment of Dr. Ralph Pinder-Wilson, director of the British Institute in Afghanistan; and if he will make
a statement.
I
Mr. Hurd: I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply gave on 9 July to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mr. Dobson). [Vol. 27, c. 227.]
51
AF2
DATE 13.7.82 COL. 269
VOL.
27
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.