HC Deb 31 October 1979 vol 972 cc579-81W
28. Mr. Parry

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish in the Official Report the names of Members of Parliament who have visited Hong Kong at the invitation of the Hong Kong authorities during the past five years.

Mr. Blaker

The information requested is:

1975:

  • Sir Paul Bryan, MP
  • Mr. Charles Fletcher-Cooke, QC, MP
  • Mr. Evan Luard
  • Mr. Michael McGuire, MP
  • Hon. C. A. Morrison, MP
  • Mr. Christopher Tugendhat

1976:

  • Mr Kenneth Baker, MP
  • Mr. Raymond Fletcher, MP
  • Mr. Peter Hardy, MP
  • Mr. Norman Lamont, MP
  • Mr. Richard C. Mitchell, MP
  • Mr. Mike Thomas, MP

1977:

  • Mr. John Cartwright, MP
  • Mr. Paul Channon, MP
  • Mr. Bryan Davies
  • Rt. Hon. David Howell, MP
  • Rt. Hon. John Nott, MP
  • Mr. Ken Weetch, MP
  • Mr. Ian Wrigglesworth, MP

1978:

  • Mr. Peter Hardy, MP
  • Mr. Richard Luce, MP
  • Mr. John F. H. Roper, MP
  • Rt. Hon. Norman St. John-Stevas, MP
  • Mr. Jack Ashley, MP

1979:

  • Mr. Nigel Lawson, MP
  • Rt. Hon. Alfred Morris, MP
  • Mr. Peter Morrison, MP
  • Mr. Christopher Patten, MP
  • Mr. E. Rowlands, MP
  • Mr. Ian Wrigglesworth, MP

Mr. Parry

asked the Lord Privy Seal what objections he has received from the People's Republic of China towards social progress in the fields of housing, welfare, education, labour and civil rights in Hong Kong, particularly in the New Territories.

Mr. Blaker

None.

Mr. Parry

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied with the attempts of the Governor of Hong Kong to stamp out corruption in the public service in Hong Kong.

Mr. Blaker

Yes. Syndicated corruption has virtually been eradicated in Hong Kong, but the Governor is determined that this should not lead to complacency. The fight against all forms of corruption is being pursued vigorously.

Mr. Parry

asked the Lord Privy Seal what objections there have been from the People's Republic of China towards the demand for a reform of the Hong Kong urban council.

Mr. Blaker

None.

Mr. Parry

asked the Lord Privy Seal if it is the policy of the Governor of Hong Kong or Government officials to reply to representations made by hon. Members of this House.

Mr. Blaker

Yes. The Governor and Hong Kong Government officials always reply to questions properly addressed to them.

Mr. Parry

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total amount spent by the Hong Kong Government on sponsoring trips for Members of the Hong Kong Government, including air fares, hotel and other expenditure, over the past five years to the latest available date.

Mr. Blaker

The total amount spent by the Hong Kong Government from 1 April 1974 to date is Hong Kong dollars 549,071.

Mr. Parry

asked the Lord Privy Seal if consideration has been given by the Hong Kong Government to representations for a reform of the urban council; and what conclusions he has reached on the desirability of increasing its powers.

Mr. Blaker

Yes. The powers of the urban council are primarily a matter for the Hong Kong Government.

Mr. Parry

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) if he has received representations from elected members of the Hong Kong urban council calling for the abolition of appointed members; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will meet a delegation of elected members of the Hong Kong urban council now on a visit to the United Kingdom to discuss the democratic reform of the urban council.

Mr. Blaker

I met the delegation yesterday.

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