TNAG-1506-FCO40-2064-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 8

1005

PA Mickily, a la Rk Att

Written Answers

alad

24 OCTOBER 1986

Mrs.lker: Namibia is a separate issue and we would not necessarily apply against the territory of Namibia measures taken against the Republic of South Africa.

China

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to China.

Mr. Renton: From 12 to 18 October my right hon. and learned Friend accompanied the Queen on the first state visit to China by a ruling British monarch. It was a great success, with a magnificent welcome from the Chinese leadership and people. As Her Majesty made clear, the visit has set the seal on the warm friendship between our two countries and will provide a foundation for the building of even closer contacts.

My right hon. and learned Friend also had useful discussions with Chinese leaders on bilateral and international issues of mutual interest.

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the question of the proposed Daya bay nuclear plant was discussed at his recent visit to China; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton: During his recent visit to China my right hon. and learned Friend discussed the proposed nuclear power plant at Daya bay with senior Chinese officials. They assured him that the Chinese Government are fully alive to the concerns of the Hong Kong people about safety aspects of the project. We shall remain in touch with the Chinese authorities on the subject, on our own behalf and on behalf of Hong Kong.

Gurkha Service men

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he discussed the dismissal of the Gurkha service men on his recent visit to Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton: My right hon. and learned Friend did not discuss this matter during his recent visit to Hong Kong. I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 21 October.

Diplomatic Bags

Mr. Janner asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many specific occasions he has ordered the scanning of diplomatic bags; on what dates such an order was given and such scanning carried out; and on the bags of which mission and with what results.

Mr. Eggar: It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on sensitive matters such as this which directly concern national security.

Mr. Janner asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will hold an inquiry into the effects of the Government's stated readiness to scan any diplomatic bag on a specific occasion where the grounds for suspicion are sufficiently strong and into whether the knowledge that he is prepared to do so has acted as a deterrrent to abuse; and if he will make a statement.

大

Cl- ca 3%

Written Answers

1006

Mr. Eggar: We keep application of the policy set out in the White Paper on promatic "Immunities and Privileges (Cmnd. 9497) under frequent review

RECLIVED IN RE

Visas

3 NOV 1986

Mr. Kaufman asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will name the persons responsible for considering; appeals against refusal of a visa by nationals of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh; and if these persons were in post on 15 October;

(2) if he will name, for each country concerned, the persons responsible for considering appeals against refusal of a visa to visit the United Kingdom.

Mr. Eggar: There are no persons responsible for considering appeals against refusal of a visa in the countries concerned.

However, an entry clearance officer, in consultation at larger posts with his senior officer, reconsiders his decision in the light of the grounds of appeal put forward. If the entry clearance officer maintains his decision he prepares an explanatory statement which is forwarded to the independent appellate authorities in this country. Officers competent to undertake this role were in all entry clearance posts on 15 October.

Mr. Kaufman asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance given by his Department on the procedure for appeals against refusal of a visa to visit the United Kingdom; and in how many languages such guidance is available

Mr. Eggar: Yes. The guidance is available only in English, as has been the case since the coming into force of the Immigration Appeals Act 1969 in all entry clearance issuing posts. Where a refusal is handed to the applicant, the guidance is, where necessary, explained by the interpreter.

Mr. Tony Banks asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs if he will give a breakdown by British missions in each of the five visa countries of the numbers and categories of additional staff employed to deal with visa applications; and what is the total cost involved to date.

Mr. Eggar: The total planned reinforcement of visa sections in the five countries is in the following table: Nigeria

Lagos

1 First Secretary

2 Second Secretaries

12 Entry Clearance Officers

7 Clerical and Secretarial Support Staff plus

15 Locally-Engaged Staff

Kaduna

I Second Secretary

3 Entry Clearance Officers

4 Clerical and Secretarial Support Staff plus

3 Locally-Engaged Staff

Ghana Accra

1 Entry Clearance Officer plus 3 Locally-Engaged Staff

Bangladesh

Dhaka

4 Entry Clearance Officers plus 19 Locally-Engaged Staff

595

DATE 2411086

COL.

1005

VOL

102 (Part II

I)

510