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Mr. Peter Lloyd : Information on applications for asylum in the United Kingdom made abroad is given in the table :
Applications for asylum in the United Kingdom received by British
posts abroad and referred to the Home Office for decision<1>, and
grants of refugee status, by nationality (provisional estimates<2>)
Number of persons
Applications received Grants of
|asylum<3>
Nationality |1989 |First |1989 |First
|quarter |quarter
|1990 |1990
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afghanistan |- |* |- |-
Angola |5 |- |- |-
China |* |* |* |*
Czechoslovakia |- |- |5 |-
Ethiopia |15 |* |5 |5
Ghana |5 |- |* |*
India |15 |* |- |-
Iran |10 |5 |10 |-
Iraq |15 |- |10 |-
Lebanon |5 |- |- |-
Libya |* |- |- |-
Malawi |* |- |- |-
Malaysia |- |* |- |-
Romania |* |- |- |-
Somalia |75 |5 |50 |10
South Africa |* |- |* |-
Sri Lanka |115 |15 |* |-
Sudan |* |- |* |-
Turkey |225 |- |30 |5
Uganda |110 |* |- |*
Zaire |15 |* |5 |-
Zimbabwe |* |- |- |-
Nationality uncertain |* |* |5 |*
|---- |---- |---- |----
Total |615 |35 |135 |25
Police (Damages Claims)
Mr. Vaz : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims for damages against the police have been lodged in the past 12 months or the last complete period of 12 months for which figures are available ; and if he will give in the most convenient form (a) the ethnic origin of the claimants, (b) the average level of damages claimed and (c) the reasons for the claims.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT
Poland
Mr. Evennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps he is taking to encourage joint ventures by British companies in Poland ;
(2) what steps he is taking to encourage the establishment of commercial and business know-how funds in Poland.
Mrs. Chalker : With the agreement of the Polish authorities our highest priorities for the know-how fund are areas directly related to the fostering of a market driven economy--banking and financial services, energy, industrial regeneration, management, accountancy and the teaching of English. A substantial programme of work is now being implemented. In addition, we are introducing schemes under the know-how fund to support pre -investment feasibility studies and the training of potential east European joint venture partners. A number of proposals under these schemes relating to Poland have been received and are being considered.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Manhole Covers
Mr. Ted Garrett : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the total volume of manhole covers imported from India in 1989 ; and what is that amount as a percentage of the United Kingdom foundries' production for the same period ;
(2) what was the tonnage of manhole covers imported from India in December 1989 ; and what information he has on the percentage that were defective.
Column 136
Mr. Redwood : Manhole covers are not separately identified within the United Kingdom customs tariff but fall within a general category "cast articles of non-malleable cast-iron for sewage, water, etc, systems" which also covers a number of other items such as cast iron pipes. A breakdown of the detailed products within the category would involve disproportionate costs.
Imports from India for the category as a whole were 6,149 metric tonnes in 1989.
United Kingdom production data for manhole covers are also not separately available from official statistics, but the industry has estimated that current production amounts to about 80,000 tonnes per annum. No information is available on the proportion of manhole covers that were defective.
Brewing
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will request a report from the Director General of Fair Trading on the implementation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on brewing.
Mr. Redwood : When announcing decisions on the MMC report, we made it clear that the Director General of Fair Trading--DGFT--will be assessing the effectiveness of the measures once the Supply of Beer Orders have had time to take full effect. Under the Supply of Beer (Tied Estate) Order, brewers have until 1 November 1992 to complete the process of releasing premises from ties, although certain measures took effect on 1 May 1990. The DGFT is ready to receive any complaints or evidence of anti-competitive practices. If he thinks at any stage that further steps are necessary I will consider what action is appropriate following advice from him. In the meantime the Department and the Office of Fair Trading are maintaining cose contact on developments.
Structural Adjustments Initiative
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact the agreement between Japan and the United States of America at the structural adjustments initiative talks will have upon the United Kingdom.
Mr. Redwood : Both Japan and the United States have made it clear that any trade benefits which result from the structural impediments initiative will be available multilaterally. The United Kingdom attaches particular importance to the continued movement from exports led to domestic demand-led growth in Japan and to the development of an environment within Japan which enables foreign companies more easily to acquire and .develop businesses there.
Securities and Investments Board
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals exist to harmonise the Securities and Investments Board and its Group of Seven equivalents ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Redwood : None. For legal and historical reasons, national regulatory regimes are very diverse. However, globalisation of financial markets is leading to a growing international awareness of the importance of increased co-operation between national regulators and enforcement agencies and of the need for mechanisms to ensure
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that regulatory disparities do not hinder growth of cross-border trade. The Government, through the participation in the work of the International Organisation of Securities Commission and through direct contacts with other countries' governments and regulators, are seeking opportunities for moves towards arrangements for the mutual recognition of comparable regulatory regimes. The European Community is following a similar approach in the proposed investment services directive which will create the single European market in investment services.Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on the Group of Seven organisations and the powers which are comparable to the five United Kingdom
self-regulatory organisations responsible to the Securities and Investments Boards.
Mr. Redwood : I have extensive information on the regimes and powers of the securities regulatory authorities of the Group of Seven countries both through regular, frequent bilateral contact between my Department and these authorities and through the valuable work of international organisations such as IOSCO--the International Organisation for Securities Commissions.
Calder Valley Trade and Industry Exhibition
Mr. Donald Thompson : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to Calder Valley trade and industry to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 16 July until 20 July.
Textile Mill Closures
Mr. James Lamond : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many mill closures have been reported in the textile and clothing industry in the past 12 months.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Industry sources indicate that there were 45 mill closures in the 12 months to May 1990.
Regional Policies
Mr. Andy Stewart : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce new regional policies.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : There are no plans to introduce new regional policies. The Government remain committed to an effective regional policy and will continue to make the necessary resources available.
Office of Fair Trading
Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the investigations currently being conducted by the Office of Fair Trading.
Mr. Redwood : It is not practicable to do so. The Director General of Fair Trading's Office conducts a
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considerable number of inquiries under the competition, consumer, companies and financial services legislation for which he is responsible. It is in the nature of such inquiries that much of this work must be carried out on a confidential basis.Arms Conversion
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to set up an arms conversion agency.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : I have nothing to add to the replies I have given to the hon. Member's earlier questions on this subject.
Financial Services
Ms. Mowlam : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with whom the duty lies to vet financial products which are on offer as to whether they constitute investments under the terms of the Financial Services Act or the Banking Act.
Mr. Redwood : It is the responsibility of the person proposing to offer a financial product to assess whether that product falls within the scope of either the Financial Services Act or the Banking Act, or both, and to obtain any necessary authorisations before offering it. In the case of the Financial Services Act, the primary responsibility for investigating and, if appropriate, taking action against those offering a financial product without the requisite authorisation lies with the Securities and Investments Board. In respect of the Banking Act, the responsibility lies with the Bank of England.
Companies Act 1989
Mr. Irvine : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further plans he has to implement the provisions of the Companies Act 1989.
Mr. Redwood : I signed an order yesterday which commences certain provisions of the Act. Section 130--company seals--section 138--directors' loans--and section 211(2) and (3)--building societies--will commence on 31 July 1990. Section 129--membership of holding company--section 144-- definition of subsidiary--and section 207--order-making power for transfer of securities--will come into force on 1 November 1990. The order provides for certain transitional and saving provisions for sections 138, 144 and 211(2) and (3). I have placed a copy of the order in the Library.
Import and Export Licences
Mr. O'Neill : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences he has granted under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939 in each year since 1979.
Mr. Redwood [holding answer 2 July 1990] : Under the powers conferred upon him by the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has granted import and export licences as follows :
|Number
--------------------------------
Import licences
1985 |144,951
1986 |186,869
1987 |191,532
1988 |214,522
1989 |200,746
1990<1> |79,693
Export licences
1987 |97,809
1988 |89,800
1989 |72,527
1990<2> |20,969
<1> To end of June.
<2> To end of May.
Complete figures for import and export licences issued prior to these dates are not readily available, and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
From time to time my Department also issues open general licences for importers and exporters, which preclude the need to obtain individual licences for certain goods.
Import Restrictions
Mr. Haselhurst : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether there are any restrictions on the import of turpentine and oil of camphor.
Mr. Redwood [holding answer 2 July 1990] : There are no quantitative restrictions on imports to the United Kingdom of turpentine or oil of camphor. Under the common customs tariff of the Communities, import duties ranging from 3.2 to 7.1 per cent. would be payable on these products although in the case of certain types of turpentine duties have been partially or totally suspended.
ECGD Insurance Service Group
Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the full analysis of the costs of operating the insurance service group of the Export Credits Guarantee Department for the financial year 1988-89.
Mr. Redwood [holding answer 5 July 1990] : ECGD's published annual trading accounts include an analysis of the costs of operating ECGD as a whole but do not separately identify the costs of operating the insurance services group. Appropriate information will be made available to potential investors when final decisions have been taken about the proposed method of sale of the insurance services group.
MV Derbyshire
Mr. Loyden : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what indemnification was provided against litigation arising out of the loss of MV Derbyshire ; when the indemnity was agreed ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg [holding answer 6 July 1990] : Under the terms of an indemnity given at the time of the privatisation of Swan Hunter Shipbuilders in January 1986, British Shipbuilders assumed responsibility for all claims made against Swan Hunter in relation to all vessels delivered prior to the sale of the yard. I do not intend to make a statement at this time.
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Uruguay Round
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the meetings of the Uruguay round at which the United Kingdom has been represented and the names of the United Kingdom representatives on each occasion.
Mr. Redwood : The United Kingdom participates in the GATT Uruguay round as a member of the European Community, and is represented at meetings by the European Commission. United Kingdom officials also attend all formal meetings as observers.
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the United Kingdom's policy in respect of eliminating farming subsidies via the Uruguay round ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Curry : I have been asked to reply.
All parties to the GATT round negotiation have agreed the long-term objective. It is to provide
"substantial progressive reductions in agricultural support and protection sustained over an agreed period of time, resulting in correcting and preventing restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets".
The United Kingdom attaches great importance to the success of the round as a whole, of which agriculture is a key element ; and we are working hard with our EC partners and others to achieve this.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Mr. and Mrs. Konin
Mr. John Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Russians about their failure to grant an exit visa to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Konin of Moscow.
Mr. Waldegrave : We can certainly raise the case of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Konin with the Soviet authorities, but in order to make our representations most effective we shall need further details.
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to (a) encourage educational, economic, social and cultural links with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, (b) enable the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to open a mission in the United Kingdom and (c) end the international isolation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Sainsbury : We do not recognise North Korea as a state and consequently have no official dealings with any authorities in North Korea. But we impose no restrictions on educational, trade and other informal links. We welcome the resumption of contacts between South and North Korea on 3 July.
El Salvador
Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he envisages any role for Her Majesty's Government in the election process in El Salvador later this year.
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Mr. Sainsbury : The nature of the arrangements for the elections due in El Salvador in March 1991 is under discussion in talks between the Government of El Salvador and representatives of the FMLN. It should become clearer, in the light of the outcome of these talks, what role the international community might play.Malawi
Mr. Sillars : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reply he has sent to the letter to him from the Rev. John Harvey about Mr. Orton Chirwa and Mrs. Vera Chirwa, held incommunicado in a Malawi prison.
Column 142
Mr. Waldegrave : I will be sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply.
Immigration
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry clearance as woking holidaymakers have been (a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused in (i) India, (ii) Bangladesh, (iii) Australia and (iv) Canada, during 1989 and 1990 to the latest convenient date.
Mr. Sainsbury : The information requested is as follows :
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|Received |Withdrawn|Granted |Refused
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) India 1989 |3 |1 |0 |2
January to June 1990 |1 |0 |0 |1
(ii) Bangladesh |<1>- |<1>- |<1>- |<1>-
(iii) Australia 1989 |9,504 |147 |9,349 |8
January to June 1990 |7,293 |124 |7,166 |3
(iv) Canada 1989 |1,904 |17 |1,886 |1
January to June 1990 |1,202 |12 |1,182 |2
<1>Accurate figures are not available: the numbers are believed to be
minimal.
Legal Aid
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what details are made available by consulate staff to United Kingdom citizens seeking legal aid in foreign countries ;
(2) approximately how many United Kingdom citizens visiting United Kingdom consulates in foreign countries have been advised on the availability of legal aid.
Mr. Sainsbury : Consular officers can advise British nationals who inquire whether legal aid is available and how to apply. No record is kept of the number of such inquiries received.
Contras (Demobilisation)
Mr. Jacques Arnold : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received on the demobilisation of the Contras ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Sainsbury : Demobilisation of the Contras was completed on 29 June, by which time 19,369 men had been demobilised in Nicaragua. A further 2,607 have been demobilised in Honduras. Some 17,000 weapons have been collected and destroyed. The prospects for peace and stability in Nicaragua have been greatly enhanced by this successful operation, and I congratulate all concerned with it, in particular the United Nations force responsible-- ONUCA.
Voting Statistics
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, further to his reply of 29 June, Official Report, column 384, if he will list in one table and in descending order the percentage of the population entitled to vote who voted for the main governing party in each NATO and Warsaw pact country.
Mr. Waldegrave [holding answer 4 July 1990] :
[TITER]
--------------------------------------------
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION (NATO)
Federal Republic of Germany (1987)
CDU/CSU |37.00
Portugal (1987)
Social Democrats |35.94
Greece (1990)
New Democracy party |35.90
Turkey (1987)
Motherland Party (ANAP) |33.30
Canada (1988)
Progressive Conservative
Party |32.25
United Kingdom (1987)
Conservative Party |31.50
Italy (1987)
Christian Democrats |29.00
Netherlands (1989)
Christian Democratic
Alliance |28.26
(Labour Party |25.50
Spain (1989)
Socialist Party |27.45
United States (1988)
President Bush as
Republican presidential
candidate |26.80
Belgium (1987)
Socialist Party |26.60
Christian Democrats) |23.90
France (1988)
Socialist Party |24.15
Norway (1989)
Conservative Party |18.30
Iceland (1987)
Progressive Party |16.80
Denmark (1988)
Conservative People's Party |16.50
Luxembourg<1>
WARSAW PACT
Romania
National Salvation Front |54.00
Czechoslovakia
Czech governing party-
Civic Forum |49.00
Slovak governing party-
Public Against Violence |32.00
Bulgaria
Bulgarian Socialist Party |41.00
Poland
Solidarity (Senate elections) |39.00
German Democratic Republic
Christian Democratic
Union |38.00
Hungary
Democratic Forum (first
round) |15.00
<1>No comparable figure for Luxembourg is
available, since each voter may cast
several votes.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Guillotine Motions
Dr. Cunningham : To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the occasions on which the Government have introduced an allocation of time order in the sessions (a) 1988-89 and (b) 1989-90.
Sir Geoffrey Howe : The Government have introduced the following allocation of time orders since the beginning of the 1988-89 Session :
1988-89
23 January 1989 Prevention of Terrorism Bill
6 February 1989 Water Bill
13 February 1989 Official Secrets Bill
3 May 1989 Self-Governing Schools etc (Scotland) Bill
8 May 1989 Dock Work Bill
17 July 1989 Football Spectator's Bill [Lords]
26 October 1989 Companies Bill [Lords] and Children Bill [Lords]
8 November 1989 Local Government and Housing Bill and
Employment Bill
1989-90
14 March 1990 National Health Service and Community
Care Bill
28 March 1990 Social Security Bill
2 April 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill
[Lords]
4 April 1990 Education (Student Loans) Bill
EMPLOYMENT
Written Answers
Ms. Primarolo : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make it his policy that, henceforth, written answers from his Department will be published as before.
Column 144
Mr. Eggar : Recent changes to the way that written parliamentary questions are answered by Ministers in this Department have been in the context of the establishment of the Employment Service as an executive agency and of training and enterprise councils. The arrangements for responding to inquiries from hon. Members were described in the booklets that were sent in April to right hon. and hon. Members entitled "The Employment Service : The Handling of MP's Inquiries and Parliamentary Questions" and "Guidelines on the handling of representations by members of parliament about the activities of Training and Enterprise Councils". I refer the hon. Lady to the answer on 21 May, Official Report, columns 145- 52.
Local Offices
Mr. Blair : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many people registered unemployed fortnightly and quarterly, at the part-time benefit signing office in Ferryhill, County Durham, during its last month of operation ;
(2) what arrangements will be made to cover the transport costs of claimants affected by the closure of the part-time benefit signing office in Ferryhill, County Durham ;
(3) what are the latest figures for the number of people who register unemployed, by individual office and by region, on a fortnightly and quarterly basis, at the part-time unemployment benefit offices now in operation ;
(4) how many people registered unemployed fortnightly and quarterly at the part-time unemployment offices closed between April 1985 and April 1990, for each office and by region ;
(5) what was the estimated annual savings incurred by the closure of part- time unemployment benefit offices between April 1985 and April 1990, for each office and by region.
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