HC Deb 10 June 1985 vol 80 cc324-6W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has as to the anticipated annual budget of the headquarters of the organisation that will administer the agreement on tropical timber; and how this compares with the budgets of the inter-governmental commodity organisations located in London.

Mr. Trippier

The budget for the administrative expenses of the International Tropical Timber Organisation has yet to be determined by its council.

The budgets for the costs in 1985 of administrating the international commodity organisations already located in London are as follows:

Organisation Budget
International Coffee Organisation *3,465,000
International Cocoa Organisation 852,000
International Sugar Organisation 1,000,000
International Tin Council 1,000,000
International Wheat Council 880,000
* This budget has been convened from US dollars, to pounds sterling using an exchange rate of £1 = US$1.27.

The Department has no separate figures of headquarters’ costs.

Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what inducements are being offered by Her Majesty's Government to locate the headquarters of the organisation that will administer the agreement on tropical timber in London;

(2) if he will list the information he has as to the countries that have offered to locate the headquarters of the organisation that will administer the agreement on tropical timber in their capital cities and as to the financial inducements they have offered and for how many years.

Mr. Trippier

Her Majesty's Government have pointed out the considerable advantages of London as a location for the headquarters of the International Tropical Timber Organisation. We have indicated that we would expect to be able to offer the organisation similar arrangements to those made for the other international commodity organisations which already have their headquarters in London, including relief from 80 per cent. of the rates.

I understand that the Governments of Belgium, France, Greece and Indonesia have also offered to accommodate the headquarters in their capital cities, with the following financial inducements:

  • the French Government have offered to provide accommodation free of rent and rates for the duration of the agreement (5 years);
  • the Greek Government have offered to provide accommodation for a nominal rent of one dollar per year for as long as the headquarters is in Athens; the Indonesian Government have offered free accommodation on a temporary and partial basis.

  • In addition:
  • the Japanese Government have offered free accommodation in Yokohama city for as long as the headquarters is located there and to pay for its electricity, gas and water;
  • the Government of the Netherlands have offered free accommodation in Amsterdam for a period to be agreed and to pay for certain operational expenses such

Customs classification Value (£ Sterling) Weight (Kilos)
Fabricated asbestos (for example, carded fibres, dyed fibres) 6813 1000 69,662 114,555
Articles of asbestos:
Thread—steel-cored thread 6813 3300 — —
other 68133500 212,067 115,500
Fabric 6813 3600 500,233 202,248
Other—for use in civil aircraft 68133800 49,435 901
Other—cords & string, whether or not plaited 68134200 7,267 12,363
paper, paperboard & felt of asbestos—with added rubber 68134400 1,217,016 1,178,709
without added rubber—mill board & paper in rolls, sheets or plates 6813 4610 844,398 1,696,244
other 68134699 180,361 161,832
Machinery & engine packings 68134910 222,692 45,351
Non-woven jointing sheets and rolls 68134920 217,025 120,196
Other 68134999 819,572 595,499
Mixtures with a basis of asbestos & mixtures with a basis of asbestos and magnesium carbonate, & articles of such mixtures:
Mixtures 68135100 117,025 69,441
Articles 6813 5500 278,476 149,748

Mr. Heffer

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has as to the countries of origin of imported asbestos cement products.

Mr. Channon

In 1984,* 95.8 percent, by volume and 95.1 per cent by value of United Kingdom imports of articles of asbestos cement etc. originated from: Belgium-Luxembourg (58.2 per cent. and 56.0 per cent. respectively), France (13.2 per cent. and 13.6 per cent.), Irish Republic (12.8 per cent. and 15.9 per cent.) and Denmark (11.6 per cent. and 9.6 per cent.).

as fixed telecommunication costs and the cost of office maintenance. The Netherlands Government are also considering a voluntary contribution to the organisation.