House of Commons Hansard Debates for 13 Jun 1990

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I have received representations both for and against the retention of the Gourock Ropeworks building. It is a category A listed building in private ownership for which I hope a suitable use can be found. Its demolition, alteration or extension would require listed building consent in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972. I am not aware of any application for listed building consent to Inverclyde district council as planning authority.

Training

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he intends to ensure that there is adequate training for those with special needs in Scotland ; and whether the Training Agency will fund the programme of the Scottish Association for Mental Health at the level of 1989's net cost, plus an appropriate allowance for inflation.

Mr. Lang [holding answer 7 June 1990] : The Government offer the guarantee of suitable training through youth training to all young persons aged between 16 and 18 years who want a training placement and through employment training to all persons who have been unemployed for over six months and who seek training. To ensure sufficient suitable placements are available to meet the needs of all trainees including those with special needs, the Training Agency contracts for training places with a wide range of training providers throughout Scotland.

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These include voluntary organisations, such as the Scottish Association for Mental Health, with particular interests in providing for specific special needs. The number of contracted places to meet particular special needs is determined by the potential demand for them from people eligible to join either youth training or employment training. The Training Agency does not fund a Scottish Association for Mental Health programme : it contracts with that body through employment training for the provision of training places.

Syringes (Cumbrae)

Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will co-ordinate efforts to establish the source of used syringes washed up on the shores of the Isle of Cumbrae over a period of several weeks ; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 12 June 1990] : I am making inquiries locally and will write to the hon. Member.

Ardrossan-Saltcoats-Stevenston Bypass

Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the timetabling of the proposed

Ardrossan-Saltcoats-Stevenston bypass.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 12 June 1990] : All schemes in the trunk road programme are allocated scheme ready dates which indicate when the necessary preparatory work is expected to be completed. Thereafter, decisions on which schemes will proceed to construction in the following year are taken annually each March on the basis of the relative priorities of the schemes which are ready, and the financial resources available. Preparatory work for an Ardrossan-Saltcoats- Stevenston bypass is expected to be completed this year if outstanding objections to the scheme are satisfactorily resolved, but no decision has been taken on when a bypass might be constructed. Decisions on the priorities for funding in 1991-92 and beyond will be greatly assisted by the results of the major trunk and key principal road network review, which will by then be substantially complete.

Scottish Homes

Mr. Ingram : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the capital programme for Scottish Homes for the financial years 1989- 90 and 1990-91.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 12 June 1990] : Final accounts for 1989-90 are not yet available : Scottish Homes' gross capital programme expenditure is, however, expected to be £299 million. The gross capital programme for 1990-91 is £311 million and assumes that Scottish Homes achieves projected capital receipts of £110 million.

Mr. Ingram : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the new build projects undertaken by Scottish Homes in the financial year 1989-90, and the projected new build programme for Scottish Homes for the current financial year.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 12 June 1990] : When approving Scottish Homes' programme for any year my right hon. and learned Friend also agrees the

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amounts which Scottish Homes proposes should be spent on particular functions. The allocation of funds to individual projects is then a matter for Scottish Homes.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

El Salvador

20. Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will undertake to visit El Salvador to examine the human rights situation there.

Mr. Sainsbury : My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans at present to visit El Salvador. We receive regular reports on the human rights situation from our embassy in San Salvador and take appropriate opportunities to register our concerns with the Salvadorean authorities.

Middle East

21. Mr. Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on current initiatives to secure the release of United Kingdom hostages in Beirut.

40. Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has been taking to gain the release of the British hostages currently held in Beirut ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave : The release of two American hostages in April shows that Iran and Syria can, if they wish, secure the release of hostages in Lebanon. We are persevering with our efforts to persuade them that the holding of hostages is in no one's interest.

39. Mr. Hind : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the measures he is taking to advance the peace process in the middle east and the release of British hostages held in the Lebanon.

Mr. Waldegrave : The recent visit of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the middle east has convinced us more than ever of the urgent need for direct dialogue between Palestinians and Israel. I can see no other starting point for a genuine peace process. We shall continue to work for this with our friends in the region and elsewhere. The grim alternative to dialogue is extremism and more killing.

The release of two American hostages in April shows that Iran and Syria can, if they wish, secure the release of hostages in Lebanon. We are persevering with our efforts to persuade them that the holding of hostages is in no one's interest.

41. Mr. Robert Hicks : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any further proposals for a peace settlement in the middle east ; and if he will make a statement.

49. Mr. Cyril D. Townsend : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's contribution to finding a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict acceptable to the international community.

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44. Ms. Primarolo : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to visit Israel to discuss the middle east peace process.

Mr. Waldegrave : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs would hope to do so at some stage but has no firm plans at present. However, the Israeli Government are well aware of our views on the urgent need for direct dialogue with representative Palestinians.

45. Mr. Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Israeli Government about the occupation of the west bank and Gaza strip.

Mr. Waldegrave : The Israelis are well aware of our view that they should withdraw from territories occupied in 1967 in the context of a comprehensive settlement of the Arab/Israel dispute ; and that pending withdrawal they should administer the occupied territories in accordance with their obligations under international law.

49. Mr. Adley : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government about the continuing murders in the occupied territories ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave : The Israeli Government are well aware of our deep concern about the continuing violence in the occupied territories and the numbers of Palestinians killed and wounded. We continue to take every opportunity to urge the Israeli authorities to administer the occupied territories in accordance with international law.

55. Mrs. Dunwoody : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Iraqi authorities regarding President Sadam Hussein's statement concerning Israel on 10 May at a meeting with Yasser Arafat.

Mr. Waldegrave : We are not aware of the statement to which the hon. Member refers. According to our information, President Saddam Hussein did not meet Mr. Arafat on 10 May.

Mr. Vaz : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he authorised British Airways officials on flight 657 from Tel Aviv to London on 23 May 1990 to detain the passport of Mr. John Richardson.

Mr. Waldegrave : No.

Mr. Vaz : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have been excluded from Israel for each year since 1985, giving the figures since December 1987 by month.

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Mr. Waldegrave : No records of this kind of information are available to us.

Mr. Vaz : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British embassy was involved in the exclusion of Mr. John Richardson from Tel Aviv airport on 23 May ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave : No.

South Africa

22. Mr. Burt : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the timetable for constitutional reform discussed at his most recent meeting with President de Klerk.

Mr. Waldegrave : During President de Klerk's recent visit, we encouraged him to maintain the momentum of constitutional reform in South Africa. We were impressed by his commitment to move forward as rapidly as possible.

Mr. Caborn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amount of British money has been made available to black political groups in South Africa ; what groups have received this money and what amounts have been paid to them ; what are the conditions laid down by the Government for the money to be granted ; what procedures have to be adopted to make an application for the money ; and who administers it.

Mr. Waldegrave : A scheme was established in March 1990, separate from our aid programme, to help those organisations previously excluded from the political process in South Africa prepare to enter negotiations. This scheme provides practical support, on a non-discriminatory basis, to those making the transition to normal political activity.

Since the scheme's inception, we have made £75,000 available and have given assistance to the following organisations : African National Congress (c £10,500), PAC (Internal) (£2,784) and Inkatha (£4,681).

In each case, the money has been provided in the form of practical material support, designed to help the organisation concerned function as a political party and thus to help towards achieving a negotiated transition to a multi-party democracy.

Any organisations seeking help under this scheme may apply direct to the British embassy in Cape Town/Pretoria, or to any of the three other British diplomatic offices in South Africa. The scheme is administered by Her Majesty's ambassador in South Africa.

Colombia

23. Mr. Knapman : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the implications of the outcome of the recent Colombian elections on the international war against the drug barons.

Mr. Sainsbury : We congratulate Sr. Gaviria on his victory in the Colombian presidential election and look forward to working with his Government in the fight against international drugs trafficking. President- elect Gaviria has made clear that he intends to continue President Barco's policies directed against the drugs trade.

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Romania

24. Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government have made to the Government of Romania.

Mr. Waldegrave : We made a number of representations before the recent elections urging the Romanian Government to ensure a free and fair campaign and poll. On 11 May we summoned the Romanian charge d'affaires to register our concern on this point.

30. Mr. Wareing : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Romania, following the elections which took place there on 20 May.

Mr. Waldegrave : We hope for warm and co-operative relations with Romania. This will depend in part on continued progress by the Romanian Government towards democracy.

Eastern Europe

25. Mr. Thurnham : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit eastern Europe to discuss political and economic co-operation.

Mr. Waldegrave : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs plans to visit Czechoslovakia in late July. We have regular discussions with east European leaders during high- level visits in either direction and in the margins of international gatherings. We are extending our co-operation with these countries ever more widely as they make progress in economic and political reform.

42. Mr. Brandon-Bravo : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that assistance to the countries of eastern Europe is conditional upon significant political and economic reform.

Mr. Waldegrave : Our policy remains that the type and degree of aid to the reforming eastern European countries should match the stage of political and economic reform they have each reached.

Dr. Woodcock : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to lessen the cost of visa applications to managers in eastern Europe who wish to visit the United Kingdom to acquire management skills.

Mr. Sainsbury : Managers from eastern Europe visiting the United Kingdom through the know-how funds are issued visas gratis. Those coming under other auspices are eligible to apply for two-year multiple-entry visas, which are cheaper, pro rata, than single-entry visas.

German Unification

26. Mr. Sillars : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's current policy on German unification.

35. Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's current policy on German unification.

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50. Mr. Salmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's current policy on German unification.

Mr. Waldegrave : We warmly welcome the prospect of German unification. We are working with the Foreign Ministers of the United States, France, Soviet Union, the two Germanies and others concerned, to settle the external aspects of German unification as soon as possible.

51. Mr. Favell : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of the reunification of Germany on the United Kingdom's position within the European Community.

Mr. Maude : I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) on 22 May. We welcome German unification as a positive factor for Europe and the Community.

EC Inter-institutional Conference

27. Mr. Dykes : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the main conclusions of the European Community inter-institutional conference, held in Strasbourg on 17 May.

Mr. Maude : There were no formal conclusions.

Council of Ministers

28. Mr. Murphy : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the last meeting of the European Community Council of Ministers ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maude : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 24 May.

36. Mr. Nicholas Brown : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what subjects will be discussed at the next meeting of the European Community Council of Ministers ; and if he will make a statement.

43. Mr. Boyes : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what subjects he intends to raise at the next European Community Council of Ministers meeting.

Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters he will be raising at the next meeting of the European Community Council of Ministers ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maude : The issues are likely to include preparations for the Dublin European Council, relations with EFTA, the GATT Uruguay round, and other EC external policies.

Libya

29. Mr. Bellingham : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will expect to visit Libya and discuss United Kingdom-Libyan relations.

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Mr. Waldegrave : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no plans to do so.

Short-range Nuclear Weapons

31. Mr. Hoyle : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to meet the United States Secretary of State to discuss short-range nuclear weapons.

Mr. Waldegrave : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Mr. Baker and other NATO colleagues at the North Atlantic Council meeting held at Turnberry on 7 and 8 June. NATO agreed at that meeting that negotiations on United States and Soviet short- range nuclear weapons systems in Europe should begin shortly after a CFE agreement is concluded.

We shall continue to be in close touch with the United States on this subject in preparation for the NATO summit in London from 4 to 6 July.

EC Policies

32. Mr. Knox : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further proposals he intends to place before his European Community partners for the development of Community policies.

Mr. Maude : I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 9 May. We shall continue to play a constructive role in Community discussions.

CSCE Conference, Copenhagen

33. Mr. Atkinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement of Her Majesty's Government's aims at the current CSCE conference on the human dimension in Copenhagen.

Mr. Waldegrave : As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said when he addressed the conference on 5 June, we want the Copenhagen CDH meeting to extend CSCE human rights undertakings, specifically on free and fair elections, the rule of law, and freedom of expression, of association and peaceful assembly, and of movement. We shall also play a full part in the detailed review of participating states' implementation of their CSCE human rights commitments.

Guyana

34. Mr. Archer : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to meet the President of Guyana.

Mr. Sainsbury : My right hon. Friend has no present plans to meet the President of Guyana.

Czech and Slovak Federal Republic

37. Mr. Barry Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic since the elections held on 8 June.

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Mr. Andrew Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the elections in the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic on 8 June.

Mr. Waldegrave : We warmly welcome these free and peaceful elections. The exceptionally high turnout shows the enthusiasm with which the Czechoslovak people have greeted the restoration of democracy in their country. Our relations with Czechoslovakia are excellent.

We look forward to the formation of a new Government. They can rely on our help and support in meeting the challenges ahead.

Cambodia

39. Mr. Bowis : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will review his policy regarding the Cambodian seat at the United Nations.

Mr. Sainsbury : With our EC partners we are reviewing our policy towards Cambodia's representation at the United Nations. In doing so we shall be taking into account the efforts of a range of countries, notably the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, to achieve a comprehensive political settlement.

British Colonies

46. Mr. Key : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning democratic arrangements for residents of small British colonies.

Mr. Sainsbury : We have received no such representations in respect of our Caribbean, Atlantic or Pacific dependent territories.

India

47. Mr. Madden : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to meet the Indian Foreign Minister.

Mr. Sainsbury : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs looks forward to meeting the Indian Foreign Minister again as soon as both their programmes allow this.

Antarctica

52. Mr. Darling : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning proposals to make Antarctica a world park.

Mr. Sainsbury : We have received representations from many hon. Members and members of the public. We fully support and comply with the relevant obligations under the Antarctic treaty system and the Antarctic minerals convention, which offer the best possible means of protecting the Antarctic environment.

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