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Mr. Peter Lloyd : There is no central record of any training having been given by United Kingdom police officers to police officers in Sri Lanka in the last five years, although a detective inspector from the Metropolitan police went to Sri Lanka in 1987 for a short advisory visit.
Central records show that the following visits were made by Sri Lankan police officers to the United Kingdom for training purposes over this period.
1986
Two officers attended the Overseas Command Course at the Police Staff College, Bramshill.
1987
None.
1988
One officer visited the Metropolitan Police to discuss drugs and new methods of fighting crime.
One officer attended a traffic management course with Lancashire Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police.
Two officers were attached to the Metropolitan Police to discuss VIP security.
1989
One officer visited the Home Office to discuss the right to silence.
One officer visited the Police Staff College, Bramshill, to discuss police training.
One officer visited the Metropolitan Police to discuss taxi licensing.
Two officers visited the Home Office, Metropolitan and Essex Police forces to discuss computers in police work.
Two officers attended the Overseas Command Course, Police Staff College, Bramshill.
1990
One officer attended a VIP Security Course at Lancashire Constabulary.
One officer attended the Overseas Command Course, Police Staff College, Bramshill.
Wandsworth Prison
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he now proposes to take to improve the facilities for women prison officers who are now working at Wandsworth prison ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Rumbold : A number of toilets and showers have been designated for the use of female staff only. Current redevelopment will also permit the incorporation of dedicated female toilets, showers and changing rooms in the reception area and hospital wing in spring 1991. Additional facilities for women staff will come into use in 1992 when the current refurbishment of D wing is complete. All of these developments have been agreed following consultations at HM prison Wandsworth.
Police Medals
Sir Dudley Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in the past 10 years failed to qualify for long service and good conduct medals because their official retirement date fell within two weeks of the qualifying period ; and how many exceptions have been granted.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The information requested is not held centrally.
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Immigration
Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's position on immigration, visas and asylum being determined by a European union, following the agreement at the European Council that the issue be considered ; and when these issues will be considered by an intergovernmental conference.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The conclusion of the European Council was that consideration should be given to whether and how activities currently conducted in an inter-governmental framework could be
"brought within the ambit of the Union".
Immigration, visas and asylum were cited as examples of matters which might be considered for such treatment.
This part of the European Council's conclusions is clearly distinguished from the part relating to possible extensions of Community competence. We do not believe, and it is not envisaged, that immigration, visas and asylum matters should be brought within the Treaty of Rome.
The intergovernmental conference on political union is now under way and the Government will play a full part in the discussions. It is not yet clear at what stage particular individual items will be considered.
Television Licence Fee
Sir John Wheeler : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will announce the findings of the independent consultancy on the level of the television licence fee ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Kenneth Baker : Following a recommendation of the Peacock committee in 1986 (Cmnd. 9824), for the three years April 1988 to April 1990 the television licence fee was increased annually in line with changes in the retail prices index. My right hon. Friend, Lord Waddington announced on 11 October 1990 that he had appointed Price Waterhouse as independent consultants to help set the level of the fee from April 1991 onwards. They were asked to assess how future increases in the fee could be set below the level of inflation measured by the RPI, and the consequences of a range of formulas for such increases, while maintaining the BBC's "cornerstone" role in British broadcasting.
Price Waterhouse reported to me in mid December, and the management summary of its report is being published today by HMSO. The remainder will not be released since it contains commercially sensitive material.
The consultants concluded that, while maintaining the present level of service, the BBC would be able to make financial improvements totalling £203 million over the five years from 1991 to 1996. These comprise £72 million in extra revenue and £131 million in savings. In addition, the BBC is required to make savings of £180 million to finance its expected future deficit. The Price Waterhouse report has been discussed with the consultants and the BBC and I am satisfied that improvements of this order are achievable. I therefore believe that, in the interests of licence fee payers, who require a licence if they wish to watch a public television service, the fee should now be held below the level of the RPI increase.
Price Waterhouse suggested two ways of doing this, both with the same net effect over five years. I have decided that its proposal to set the April 1991 increase at 3 per cent. below RPI, with annual increases at RPI over the
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subsequent four years is the better of the two methods. I intend, however, to reassess the position in three years' time, taking the opportunity to review the BBC's progress in achieving efficiency gains and further developing alternative sources of revenue. Price Waterhouse has also made some further suggestions to me about the operation of the licence fee, and I will also consider within the same time scale whether they should be implemented. The longer-term future of the licence fee as the principal means of financing the BBC will be considered as part of the review of the present charter which will be necessary before its expiry in December 1996.The licence fee increase each April has been calculated on the basis of the annual increase in RPI in the 12 months up to the preceding September, in the same way as increases in pensions and other state benefits. The RPI figure for September 1990 was 10.9 per cent., and applying an RPI-3 per cent. factor of 7.9 per cent. to the unrounded 1990 figures leads to new fees from 1 April 1991 of £77 for a colour licence and £25.50 for a monochrome licence. The necessary regulations will be laid before the House in due course.
THE ARTS
Welsh National Opera
Mr. Michael : To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will list the sums of money from all sources which he is making available directly from his Department or in conjunction with others to the Welsh National Opera in the present financial year ; what was the comparable figure in 1989-90 ; and if he will list the projected figures for 1991-92 and subsequent years insofar as firm or tentative projections have been made.
Mr. Renton : The Welsh National Opera is funded jointly by the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Welsh Arts Council. The information requested is as follows :
£'000s
|ACGB |WAC
------------------------------------
1989-90 |2,669 |1,791
1990-91 |2,935 |1,972
1991-92 |<1>3,100|2,130
<1> Provisional allocation.
Levels of funding for future years have yet to be determined.
Mr. Michael : To ask the Minister for the Arts what discussions have taken place between his officials and the Welsh National Opera about finances ; what differences have arisen over the financial contribution of the Government to the Welsh National Opera ; and what differences still remain.
Mr. Renton : The funding of the Welsh National Opera is a matter for the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Welsh Arts Council. The chairman of the ACGB met the chairman and members of the board of the WNO on 8 January to discuss the company's current financial position. I understand that the meeting was helpful and constructive. Further detailed discussions are being arranged between the two funding bodies and the company, with the intention of achieving a mutually acceptable outcome. I very much welcome this positive development.
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PRIME MINISTER
Hereditary Baronetcy Awards
Mr. Rees : To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy with regard to the considerations which he takes into account before making any recommendation for the award of a hereditary baronetcy ; when this policy last changed ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : It was the policy of my predecessor to consider recommending hereditary honours in exceptional cases. I propose to follow a similar practice.
European Community
Mr. Allen : To ask the Prime Minister what treaty amendments are being considered for submission to the European Community.
The Prime Minister : The Conclusions of the Rome European Councils on 27 and 28 October and on 14 and 15 December listed a number of areas where treaty revision would be considered in the context of the intergovernmental conferences on political union and EMU.
Rural Housing
Mr. Alex Carlile : To ask the Prime Minister if he will visit the Montgomery constituency to receive representations concerning housing for young people in rural areas.
The Prime Minister : I have no present plans to visit Montgomeryshire. Close partnership between local authorities, housing associations and the private sector is essential in securing appropriate housing for young people, as for others, in rural areas. Housing for Wales is giving strong assistance by devoting 25 per cent. of its programme to rural areas ; its survey of housing and young people in rural Wales will help to target future investment.
Export Licences
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Prime Minister whether he has any plans to change the procedure for applying for export licences where there is a defence implication ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms. Quin) by my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade on 29 November 1990 at columns 1060-61.
Publicity and Advertising
Mr. Michael : To ask the Prime Minister, further to his reply on 17 December, Official Report, column 15, if he will publish the guidance given to departmental Ministers regarding the use of publicity and advertising paid for by public funds.
The Prime Minister : The conventions on Government publicity and advertising have already been published. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy on 28 June 1990 to my hon. Friend the Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Arbuthnot) at column 311 .
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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
European Community
Mr. Leighton : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what distinctions are drawn in policy between defence and security in the context of negotiations on extending the competence of the EC.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The Twelve already discuss some aspects of security within the framework of European political co-operation. As part of the process of closer foreign policy co-ordination among the Twelve, we see scope to develop this further, but would not support the extension of Community competence into this area. Defence itself--the planning, organisation, command, control and commitment of military forces--is one aspect of broader security policy. We believe that NATO should remain the main forum for consultation on defence matters affecting the alliance as a whole. Closer European co-operation on defence could be achieved by strengthening the Western European Union.
Khmer Rouge
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose in the United Nations Security Council a ban on the movement of arms and logistic support to the Khmer Rouge by whatever route ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : United Nations Security Council resolution 668 of 20 September 1990 endorsed the framework for a comprehensive political settlement of the Cambodia conflict, an integral element of which is the cessation of outside military assistance to all Cambodian parties.
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call on the Chinese Government to end their support for the Khmer Rouge ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 17 December to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd).
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will halt all British support in whatever form, direct or indirect, to the Khmer Rouge and its allies ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) of 17 December. We have never given and will never give support of any kind to the Khmer Rouge.
Iraq
Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Iraqi diplomats have left the United Kingdom at the request of Her Majesty's Government ; and on what dates in each of the past three years.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The following members of Iraqi embassy staff have been requested by Her Majesty's Government to leave the United Kingdom.
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1988 : Four--one on 30 September 1988--three on 29 October 1988.
1989 : None.
1990 : 11--Six on 17 September 1990
--four on 19 September 1990
--one on 10 November 1990
1991 : 9--3 January 1991.
Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British diplomats have left Iraq at the request of the Iraqi authorities ; and on what dates in each of the past three years.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Seven members of the British embassy in Baghdad have been declared persona non grata in the past three years ; four in October 1988, two in September 1990 and one in November 1990.
Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of Her Majesty's diplomatic corps are currently accredited to the British embassy in Baghdad.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : We have recalled our ambassador in Baghdad and the remaining members of his staff for consultations.
Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representatives of the Government of Iraq are currently accredited to the embassy of Iraq in London.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Fifteen diplomatic agents ; twelve administrative and technical staff ; five service staff.
Cambodia
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support the Government of Thailand in their efforts to make peace with the Cambodian Government and to remove Khmer Rouge bases from Thai soil ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : We support all constructive efforts to achieve peace in Cambodia. Thailand has played a helpful part in recent efforts to establish a functioning Supreme National Council and remains a key regional player in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cambodian conflict.
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom will now deal with the Government of Hun Sen as the legitimate Government of Cambodia ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : In my reply to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd), of 17 December, I reaffirmed our willingness to talk to representatives of the Hun Sen regime to urge them to co-operate in restoring peace to Cambodia on the basis of the five's framework. Accordingly, on 22 December the head of the south-east Asian Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office met a Cambodian Vice-Minister, Mr. Uch Kiman, in Paris. This meeting did not constitute formal dealings with the Hun Sen regime as the legitimate Government of Cambodia.
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Corfu Channel Incident
Mr. Galloway : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are currently being taken to settle outstanding financial questions relating to the Corfu channel incident of 1946.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : British and Albanian officials met in Geneva on 18 and 19 December to discuss outstanding bilateral issues.
Albania
Mr. Galloway : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are currently being taken to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Socialist Republic of Albania.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : British and Albanian officials met in Geneva on 18 and 19 December to discuss outstanding bilateral issues, including the restoration of diplomatic relations.
Mr. Tariq Aziz
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons he has opposed the visit of Tariq Aziz to meet EEC representatives in Rome.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : On 4 December the Foreign Minister of the European Community invited the Iraqi Foreign Minister to meet the presidency following his meeting with the United States Secretary of State. This invitation has been renewed several times, most recently after the EPC ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on 4 January, but has been declined by the Iraqi Government.
El Salvador
Mrs. Clwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to encourage the Government of El Salvador to accept the United Nations peace proposal.
Mr. Garel-Jones : We have frequently made clear to all sides in El Salvador the importance we and the international community attach to a successful outcome of the peace talks under the auspices of the United Nations. We condemn the renewed offensive by the FMLN at the end of last year.
The Gulf
Mr. Beggs : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of maps delineating the precise border, with all co-ordinates, which existed between Iraq and Kuwait after each significant alteration since their establishment in international law ; and if he will place a copy of each relevant treaty, agreement or draft agreement to which the United Kingdom was a party which is relevant to the establishment of that border.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Extracts from the Anglo-Turkish convention of 1913, and copies of letters by the Prime Minister of Iraq and the Sheikh of Kuwait in 1932 confirming recognition of the Iraq-Kuwait frontiers, are being placed in the Library of the House. A map attached to the 1913 convention may be examined at the Public Records Office.
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Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what preparations have been made by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the eventuality of war in the Gulf.Mr. Archie Hamilton : I am replying in the absence of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, who is chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The answer is none. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for commemorating and caring for the graves of those who died while serving in the armed forces of the Commonwealth during the first and second world wars.
Romanian Orphans
Mr. Thurnham : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the voluntary organisations known to be providing aid to Romanian orphans and the amount of aid, if known ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : We do not have details of all British voluntary aid to Romanian children, but we are aware of a number of the organisation concerned. I shall write to my hon. Friend with a list. We have no information about the amount of aid. We fully support all efforts to improve conditions for children in Romania.
Kashmir
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to ensure that India respects the human rights of people who are now living in the Indian occupied area of Kashmir before any aid allocation to India is considered ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The importance we attach to "good government" when considering our aid programme is well known. While we support the Indian Government's efforts to deal with the serious challenge from terrorist violence in Kashmir, we have regularly made clear to them our concern that human rights must be respected.
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