TNAG-1688-FCO40-2338-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 101

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preferred location for the directorate general of defence quality assurance, together with the list of other locations now being considered.

Mr. Archie Hamilton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 January 1987, at column 452. The further appraisal of the future accommodation needs of the directorate general of defence quality assurance is still in progress.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Diplomatic Staff

Mr. Dicks asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff accredited with diplomatic status work in the offices of the British high commission in (a) Australia, (b) India and (c) Canada.

Mr. Eggar: I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Dicks asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff accredited with diplomatic status work in the United Kingdom offices of (a) the Australian high commission, (b) the Indian high commission and (c) the Canadian high commission.

Mr. Eggar: The Austrialian high commission has 42 diplomatic staff; the Indian high commission 66; and the Canadian high commission 63.

Hong Kong

Mr. Robert Atkins asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had about the Hong Kong Public Order (Amendment) Ordnance; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton: We have received a number of representations about this ordinance. In reply we have made clear that while this is primarily a matter for the Hong Kong Government, we support the action they have taken. The legislation passed by a large majority in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on 11 March included the repeal of a number of stringent provisions of the control of publications ordinance that had been part of the laws of Hong Kong for many years, but which have not prevented the Hong Kong media from being among the most free and outspoken in Asia. In reviewing this legislation and deciding upon these repeals, the Hong Kong Government considered that in such a small and densely-populated place as Hong Kong, it was nevertheless necessary to retain some power to act against anyone publishing false news likely to cause alarm to the public or disturb public order. The provision is not, therefore, a new one, and the result of the legislation passed on 11 March represents a major liberalisation compared with the position before that date.

Vietnamese Refugees

Mr. Robert Atkins asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conclusions were reached in discussions he has had with other Commonwealth countries about the possible acceptance of further Vietnamese refugees into their respective countries who are presently resident in Hong Kong.

Mr. Renton: We remain in close contact with other members of the Commonwealth about the resettlement of

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Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong. We are grateful for their increased intakes of refugees from Hong Kong in response to our decision in 1985 to accept some 420 more

of them for settlement in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Robert Atkins asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the acceptance of further Vietnamese refugees, presently resident in Hong Kong, into Britain.

Mr. Renten: We are considering the question of possible further resettlement in the United Kingdom of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong, and hope to make an announcement soon.

Visas

Mr. Lawler asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline the emergency procedures available at the immigration departments at United Kingdom diplomatic missions in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for the issue of visitors' visas in cases of extreme urgency.

Mr. Eggar: I refer my hon. friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Holland) on 9 December 1986 at column 122.

Arms Embargo

Mr. Caborn asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions, and in relation to which cases, Her Majesty's Government have reported details of breaches of the United Nations mandatory arms embago of South Africa to the United Nations Security Council committee on the arms embargo established by resolution 421 of 1977.

Mr. Renton: There is no requirement to report such breaches to the United Nations Security Council committee on the arms embargo, but where the committee has asked for information we have always endeavoured to meet its requests. For example, we kept the committee fully informed of the Coventry case in 1984-85.

Mr. Caborn asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has discussed with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany plans for the manufacture of submarines supplied from the Federal Republic of Germany to South Africa in breach of the United Nations mandatory arms embargo; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton: It is not our practice to take up with other Governments allegations of breaches of the arms embargo. In accordance with accepted procedures, the matter is currently the subject of correspondence between the chairman of the Security Council established under Security Council resolution 421 (1977) and the Federal German Government.

committee

Mr. Caborn asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to which members of the United Nations Security Council, other than the United Kingdom, expressed reservations or qualifications in relation to United Nations Security Council resolution 591 of 1986.

Mr. Renton: None expressed reservations or qualifica- tions. In his statement following the adoption by consensus of Security Council resolution 591 the United

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