HC Deb 03 March 1997 vol 291 cc483-4W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the level of the Hong Kong gold and foreign currency reserves on the date of signing the China-UK agreement on the future of Hong Kong. [18082]

Mr. Hanley

The Sino-British joint declaration was signed on 19 December 1984. At the end of December 1984, the value of gold reserves held by the Hong Kong Government was HK$439 million or approximately £49 million at the then exchange rate of £1=HK$9.0344. The value of foreign currency reserves, excluding gold reserves, was HK$50,151 million or £15,550 million.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of gold and foreign currency reserves held by the Hong Kong authorities. [18110]

Mr. Hanley

At the end of January 1997, the value of gold reserves held by the Hong Kong Government was HK$182 million or approximately £15 million at the then exchange rate of £1=HK$12.4216. The value of foreign currency reserves, excluding the gold reserves, was HK$510,200 million or £41,070 million.

Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he arrived and departed from Hong Kong during his recent visit; what official meetings he had; and with whom. [18353]

Mr. Rifkind

I arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday 15 February and departed on Monday 17 February. I held meetings with the Governor of Hong Kong and senior Hong Kong Government officials including the Chief Secretary Mrs. Anson Chan; with the chief executive designate of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr. C. H. Tung; with members of staff at the British Trade Commission and of the office of the British senior representative, Sino-British joint liaison group; and with members of the Executive and Legislative Councils.