TNAG-1493-FCO40-2051-Future-of-Hong-Kong-General-Agreement-on-Tariffs-and-Trade-(-1986 — Page 142

(358)

349

HICK 122/1

---31'

Written Answers

Hf..16 MAY 1986

2 2 MAY 1986

Written Answers

33

32

Mor

order

BS yard

Vessel

Contract delivery

dates

M

make

to m

1X Trailing Suction Hoppoer Dredger 1×Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger 1× N/P Barge

September 1986 July 1987 December 1986

Hong the F

and

exist

educ educ

May 1985 September 1985 February 1986

Appledore Appledore A & P

Mr. Gordon Brown asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which public sector orders, to be awarded in 1986, and for which British Shipbuilders is able to tender, have been notified to his Department.

Mr. Butcher: I am aware of the following orders that are likely to be placed in 1986:

---A fisheries protection vessel for the Department of Agriculture

and Fisheries Scotland of some 3,380 cgt.

-A passenger/vehicle ferry for Caledonian MacBrayne of some

5,500 cgt.

-An inter-island passenger/vehicle ferry for the Orkney Islands

Council of some 500 cgt.

Mr. Gordon Brown asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he proposes for redundancy payments after 31 December for employees of British Shipbuilders.

Mr. Butcher: The statutory shipbuilding redundancy payments scheme was extended to 31 December 1986 by the Shipbuilding Act 1985. The Government consider that a further extension is inappropriate because there should be parity between public and private sectors by having no statutory scheme for either. British Shipbuilders and Harland and Wolff are examining the format of successor schemes. Schemes for private sector yards are for negotiation between managements and their work force.

United Kingdom-United States Trade Relations

Mr. Cartwright asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the decision of the governor of Washington State to cancel a trade mission to the United Kingdom because of the alleged risks to visitors to Britain from terrorism, whether he is taking any steps to safeguard and promote United Kingdom/United States trade relations.

Mr. Alan Clark: My Department actively promotes British trade with the United States, and will continue to do so despite the regrettable concellation of this visit.

Strategic Defence Initiative

Mr. Denzil Davies asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect on British trade with the Eastern bloc of United Kingdom involvement in the strategic defence initiative research programme, and in particular, of American concern to limit the transfer of technology.

Mr. Butcher [pursuant to his reply, 1 May 1986, c. 453]: I am not aware of any effect on British trade with the Eastern bloc as a result of the United Kingdom's involvement in the strategic defence initiative. My Department will continue to keep the position under review.

Toys

Mr. Tony Banks asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the current definition of toy in the Toy (Safety) Regulations 1974; if he will

extend it to include any article which because of its size or appearance could be mistaken for a child's plaything; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard: [pursuant to his reply, 2 May 1986, c. 526.]: The current definition is generally satisfactory. But I am aware that some goods, which would not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1974 because of sharp spikes or edges, excessive lead in paint or other reasons, are being supplied as novelties, collectors' items, figurines, executive toys, decorations or similar descriptions and that they are technically legal although likely to be played with by children. One of the benefits of the general safety requirement for consumer goods proposed in our White Paper (Cmnd. 9302) is that it will do much to close this loophole.

The definition of toy may be amended once the EC proposal for a toy safety directive is adopted by member states. This amendment may be a marginal improvement. I am considering the extent to which a definition along the lines of that proposed, would make a contribution to reducing the dangers to which children may be exposed.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

British Citizens Abroad (Hostages)

Mr. Park asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are currently held hotage abroad (a) by Governments and (b) by others; in which countries they are held; and what representations have been made in these cases by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Eggar: Two Britons, Mr. Alec Collett and Mr. John McCarthy have been abducted by terrorist groups in the Lebanon. Their precise whereabouts are unknown. Representations on their behalf have been made to several Governments in the Middle East and to other groups and organisations which may be in a position to help.

Hong Kong (GATT)

Mr. Deakins asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the recognition of Hong Kong as a general agreement on tariffs and trade contracting party has been accepted by all general agreement on tariffs and trade members.

Mr. Renton: Following declarations to the GATT secretariat by the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China on 23 April, the secretariat informed contracting parties that Hong Kong had become a contracting party as from that date. The procedure did not require the approval of other GATT members.

Hong Kong

Sir Paul Bryan asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the state of further education in Hong Kong; and if he will make

a statement.

Char Whit

Riley PA

TG

anc

Rel the

Ki:

B

16