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Writen Answers
STRYO FEBRUARY 1986 13 FEB 1986
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Written Answers
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However, there were exchanges at official level and
some colleagues sent messages to express the hope that tax under schedule D after audited accounts have been Britain would remain within the organisation to my right submitted; and if he will state up to how far back such 13 hon. and learned Friend. investigations normally, go;.
to
(7) what proportion of directors of companies or businesses or schedule D taxpayers who were assessed as liable to pay further tax after an in-depth investigation used professional legal or accountants' assistance in their dealings with the Inland Revenue at the time of agreeing to pay further tax.
Mr. Moore: I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Sinsemilla
Mr. Terry Fields asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to facilitate the detection and to prevent the importation into the United Kingdom, of the drug Sinsemilla; what quantities of the drug have so far been impounded at ports of entry; how many people have been found to have the drug in their possession on entering the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Brooke: The importation of Sinsemilla, a term describing a seedless cannabis plant, is prohibited under Section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise enforce this prohibition as for all other prohibited drugs. The detection, prevention and investigation of drug smuggling is a top priority of the Board of Customs and Excise.
Separate records of Sinsemilla seizures are not kept because it is a form of herbal cannabis.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Poland (Foreign Debt)
Mr. Cartwright asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Polish Government concerning proposals for the rescheduling of its foreign debts.
Mr. Renton: Proposals for the rescheduling of Polish foreign debts are considered by official creditors on a multilateral basis. Agreements were reached last year on restructuring official debts falling due in the period from 1982 to 1985. Discussions continue on future rescheduling arrrangements. The United Kingdom signed a bilateral rescheduling agreement with Poland on 30 November 1985 covering debts falling due in the period 1982-84.
UNESCO
Sir Russell Johnston asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with his partners in the Council of Ministers of the European Community before the United Kingdom left the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; and what views they put to him.
Mr. Eggar: My right hon. and learned Friend had no formal collective discussions about UNESCO with Community colleagues in the period immediately preceding our decision not to rescind our notice of withdrawal from the organisation.
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Hong Kong
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent visit of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) to Hong Kong.
Mr. Renton: I paid a brief visit to Hong Kong on 23 and 24 January following my visit to China between 18 and 23 January. During my stopover in Hong Kong I held useful discussions with the Governor, the Executive Council and the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the People's Republic of China has made any objections concerning further democratic reform in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: There will be a review of the further development of representative government in Hong Kong in 1987. Decisions on any further developments must await the outcome of that review. The Joint Liaison Group discussed recent changes in Hong Kong's political system at the group's second meeting between 26 and 29 November 1985. The group's proceedings are confiden- tial, but the atmosphere of the discussions was friendly and co-operative.
Philippines
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on relations with the Philippines following the recent elections;
(2) what arrangements Her Majesty's Government has made to obtain information about the conduct of the recent election in the Philippines; and if he will make a
statement.
Mr. Renton: We attach importance to our relations with the Philippines, as a member of the Association of South-East Asian Nations and a country of considerable strategic importance. Together with our European Community partners, we expressed the hope that the election would be held in accordance with the law and the constitution. The situation is still very confused, but we are concerned at the widespread allegations of electoral fraud.
East Germany (Compensation for British Citizens)
Mr. Nicholas Brown asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in negotiating with the East German Government compensation for British citizens whose property was appropriated by the Nazis prior to 1945.
Mr. Eggar: We held a plenary session of talks about these claims which arise mainly for the period post 8 May 1945 with the German Democratic Republic in London in March 1985. Good progress was made at that meeting and
a programme of work was agreed to help speed up the 26
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