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Written Answers
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Mr. Renton: Together with our European partners and other members of the Security Council we have urged that relief agencies should carry out their vital humanitarian work unhindered. We are already contributing to ICRC and UNRWA and are ready to consider urgently any further requests for emergency aid.
Hawk Aircraft
Mr. Terry Davis asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has taken any steps to ensure that Hawk aircraft supplied by the United Kingdom are not used by the Indonesian Government in East Timor.
Mr. Renton: The Hawk aircraft were supplied for Indonesia's legitimate training and defence needs. After delivery we do not monitor on a regular basis the use which a purchaser makes of such equipment. It would not be practicable to do so. However, we have no evidence to suggest that Hawk aircraft have been used in East Timor.
Diplomatic Immunity
Mr. Peter Bruinvels asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Offical Report, column 231, he will list the country of origin of the 11 diplomats of respect of which waivers have been requested;
(2) if he will list all the countries of origin of diplomats or their families, and offences alleged, in respect of which Her Majesty's Government have requested a waiver of diplomatic immunity in each year since 1982.
Mr. Eggar: It has not been our practice to identify countries of origin when giving statistics about reported criminal offences by diplomats.
Hong Kong
Mr. Lilley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on Hong Kong will be laid before Parliament.
Mr. Renton: I am laying the annual report on Hong Kong before Parliament today. It will be published on 20 February.
Overseas Students
Sir Anthony Kershaw asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her
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Majesty's Government's policy towards overseas students in the light of the document published by the Overseas Students Trust, a copy of which has been sent to him.
Sir Geoffrey Howe: On 9 June 1982 my predecessor welcomed the Overseas Students Trust's major report on overseas student policy. The Government now welcome this follow-up report as another constructive contribution to the development of policy in this important sector.
I note that the report fully supports the general lines of the Government's policy to welcome overseas students and to provide awards for a wide range of selected candidates. The report will now be carefully considered in the interdepartmental group on overseas student matters, and at the forthcoming round table meeting on overseas student affairs. This latter body involves interested individuals and organisations as well as Government Departments, and will be chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Mr. Walden) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science.
Strategic Defence Initiative
Mr. Best asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the United States of America about the implications for continued United Kingdom participation in the strategic defence initiative of Her Majesty's Government's interpretation of those parts of the anti- ballistic missile treaty dealing with the development, testing and deployment of anti-ballistic missile systems or components; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Kinnock) on 19 February at column 1054.
United Nations
Mr. Proctor asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total United Kingdom contribution to the United Nations and all its related agencies for the most recent 12 months for which figures are available, and for the preceding 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar: The total United Kingdom contributions to the United Nations and its agencies in 1986 was £132,760,885. The equivalent amount in 1985 was £155,219,130. The fall in value of the dollar in which many budgets are assessed is in large part responsible for the difference.
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