635
Written Answers
Zimbabwe (Currency Restrictions)
5 APRIL 1984
Beith asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received representations from British citizens about the proposal of the Zimbabwe Government to reduce from 10,000 to 1,000 Zimbabwe dollars the amount of money which may be taken out of Zimbabwe by widows emigrating to the United Kingdom; whether this matter was covered by any provisions of the Lancaster house agreement; and whether he has made any representations to the Zimbabwe Government on behalf of persons affected.
Mr. Rifkind: I recognise that these new exchange control restrictions (which include the reduction of the widows' emigration allowance to Z$1,000) will cause difficulties. We welcome the assurances that they are only temporary and that hardship cases will be considered sympathetically. While exchange controls are internal matters for the Zimbabwe Government to regulate, we shall continue to impress upon them the problems which their restrictions cause, particularly in cases involving hardship and the elderly. The controls reflect Zimbabwe's severe shortage of foreign exchange, made even worse by the need to import large amounts of food following three years of drought.
The Lancaster house agreement did not include any provision relating to the restrictions referred to in the question.
Hong Kong
Mr. Adley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was informed by Jardine Matheson of its intention to transfer its legal base from Hong Kong to Bermuda; and if he will make a statement on the impact of this event on the discussions concerning the future status of Hong Kong.
Mr. Whitney: It is not our practice to comment on confidential exchanges with commercial firms. I do not expect this commercial decision to have any affect on the discussions concerning the future status of Hong Kong.
Mr. Adley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his forthcoming meeting in Beijing; what expects to discuss; and if he will make a statement on his visit to the House on his return.
Mr. Whitney: My right hon. and learned Friend will be visiting Peking from 15-18 April at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister. He will have discussions with the Foreign Minister and other Chinese leaders on all aspects of Hong Kong's future, as well as on other bilateral and international issues. He will ensure that the House is informed promptly of the outcome of the visit.
Mr. Adley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those people he intends to meet on his forthcoming visit to Hong Kong.
Mr. Whitney: My right hon. and learned Friend will be meeting the Governor, other senior officials of the Hong Kong Government and the Executive Council. He will also be meeting a wide cross-section of the Hong Kong community including the unofficial members of the Legislative Council, elected and appointed members of the urban council and district boards, local business men, other community representatives and the press.
324
DATE 5.4.80 635
COL.
VOL 57
200
Written Answers
SOCIAL SERVICES
Mental Hospitals (Admissions)
Mr. Bermingham asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons, under the age of 18 years at the time of admission, were admitted to hospital under the provisions of part III of the Mental Health Act 1983 or its predecessor for the last three available years, such figures to be given on a regional basis.
Mr. John Patten: The available information is given in the table.
Admissions under Part V of the Mental Health Act 1959 to mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units and Special Hospitals in England of persons under the age of 18 years.
Regional Health Authority
Northern Yorkshire Trent
1980
1981
1982
3
2
1
East Anglian
2
2
North West Thames
2
1
2
North East Thames
3
1
South East Thames
1
1
South West Thames Wessex Oxford
South Western West Midlands
2
Mersey
North Western
1
Special Health Authorities Special Hospitals
1
Ma
4
No
Sp
TOTALS
11
15
Τα
19
Mr. Bermingham asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children and young persons, detained under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 or its predecessor the Mental Health Act 1959, were resident in hospital on 31 December for the last three available years, such figures to be broken down on a regional basis and to be given for the following age groups (a) O to eight years of age, (b) nine to 10 years of age, (c) 11 to 12 years of age, (d) 13 to 14 years of age, (e) 15 to 16 years of age, (f) 17 to 18 years of age and (g) 19 to 20 years of age.
Mr. John Patten: Information about the ages of resident patients detained in mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units is not collected centrally. The available information relating to the total numbers of such patients is given in the following table:
Resident patients at 31 December detained under the Mental Health Act 1959 in mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units and Special Hospitals in England.
Regional Health Authority
Northern
You pikk
-Trent
Bast Anglian
Aga
No
Yo
Tre
Eas
No
Not
Sou
Sou
We
Oxf
Sou
Wes
Mer
Non
Spec Sped
Tota
1< 1<Z>P@ZZŰŰBŐJE ZZ88 8│82£ £ $ £ £ õ õ £ 8
Age
Nort
1980
1981
1982
York
Trec
362
342
East
0272
292
256
North
478
370
North
DONNISTRY
193
182
193
South
North West ThamesPR 1934
449
484
405
South
386
381
399
Wess
368
352
375
Oxfor
318
317
308
South
PA
223
308
243
West
153
154
158
Merse
351
365
370
North
561.
609
550
Specia
306
276
292
Specia
North East Thames South East Thames. South West Thames Wessex Oxford
South Western West Midlands- Mersey
325
Page 60Page 61
5 April 1984
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.