TNAG-1305-FCO40-1662-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1984 — Page 3

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Friend as soon as possible about the number of relevant notices issued by my Department's export intelligence service during 1983.

Construction Industry

Mr. Latham asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what specific recommendations have been made, or specific action taken, since 20 July 1982, by the overseas project board of the British Overseas Trade Board to assist the construction industry; and whether he envisages further action.

Mr. Channon [pursuant to his reply, 25 July 1984]: The board's third report, a copy of which is in the Library, gives details of its activities up to December 1983. Subjects of interest to the construction industry include the work on bonding requirements, ECGD facilities and the United Kingdom's attitude to the OECD consensus, the role of nationalised industries in the export field and the operation of Government support schemes such as the overseas projects fund and the aid and trade provision.

At present, the board is maintaining a close interest in the problem of bonding, the issues raised by the Byatt report on the costs and risks of supporting exports, the follow-up to the Ewbank report on nationalised industries and the outcome of the Matthews report on the "Future Structure, Functions and Status of ECGD". It is intending to consider various aspects of the United Kingdom's project financing capability.

INDEX

The board is assisted in its work by the participation of two members of the construction industry and is concerned to keep in close touch with relevant representative bodies such as the Export Group for the Constructional Industries.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Mr. Laliph

Mr. Chris Smith asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Mr. Laliph Athulathmudali, Sri Lankan Minister for national security, is currently on an official or private visit to the United Kingdom; what meetings he has held whilst here with representatives of Her Majesty's Government; what the subjects discussed have been; and if he will make a

statement.

Mr. Whitney: Mr. Athulathmudali visited Britain as our guest from 15 to 21 July. He paid a courtesy call on my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Office and on my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces. My right hon. and noble Friend gave a dinner for him at Lancaster house on 19 July. He also had talks with officials of the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on matters of mutual interest.

We reiterated to Mr. Athulathmudali our hope that a lasting political settlement to Sri Lanka's intercommunal problems could be achieved so as to safeguard the rights of all communities.

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Hong Kong

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the working of the Ashetoads in Hong Kong and the system of surveying people living in squatter areas concerning their entitlement for public housing.

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Mr. Luce: Yes. Squatter clearance is governed by a well-established rehousing policy and generally works well. The Hong Kong Government have recognised, however, that there is a problem associated with clearance of huts in rear lanes in urban areas, which district boards consider to be a vital part of their efforts to improve local environments. Steps are being taken to revise the rehousing policy to enable the occupants of such huts to become eligible for rehousing in certain circumstances.

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the system of demolition of squatters' huts in Hong Kong and the re- housing policy.

Mr. Luce: Yes. A full survey of illegal structures in squatter areas was conducted in 1982. When surveyed structures are demolished in a clearance, occupants are rehoused either in permanent pubic housing or temporary housing areas. A pre-clearance survey is undertaken to identify the occupants of the huts involved and to inform them of their eligibility for rehousing and removal allowances. This system is operating satisfactorily.

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Minister of State's recent visit to Hong Kong.

Mr. Luce: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch (Mr. Adley) on 25 July.

Kowloon City (Disturbance)

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many young boys were handcuffed by the Hong Kong police during the recent disturbances in Kowloon city during squatter accommoda- tion clearance.

Mr. Luce One 11-year-old boy had to be restrained with handcuffs during an attack on police in the course of a routine squatter clearance. The boy had become hysterical. The only alternative to handcuffs was for police officers to use force to restrain him, a course of action that was considered less desirable. A total of 14 policemen and four squatters were injured during the incident.

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why armed policemen and members of the blue beret police tactical unit were despatched to the Kowloon city squatters' clearance area on 29 June; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Luce: All Hong Kong policemen are armed. In any clearance in which it is considered that a breach of the peace might occur members of the police tactical unit are held in reserve. The initial police deployment for this clearance was eight policemen and 12 unarmed women police officers. When they came under attack from a number of squatters, a platoon of PTU was deployed to assist.

Diplomatic Service (Equal Opportunities)

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure equal opportunities in the Diplomatic Service for women; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Whitney It is the policy of the Diplomatic Service that all eligible persons shall have equal opportunity for

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