The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1995Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 3 November 1995

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 3rd November 1995.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Opposition Parties (Civil Service)

Mr. Alfred Morris: To ask the Prime Minister what are the conventions whereby civil service Departments take steps to consult the Opposition about their policies towards the end of a Parliament; and when such steps are planned to be taken before the end of the current Parliament.

The Prime Minister: The convention has been that, by authority of the Prime Minister, towards the end of a Parliament or when a general election has been called, Opposition parties may arrange, with the authority of their party leaders and through the head of the civil service, contacts with senior civil servants. These arrangements are designed to allow briefing on factual questions on departmental organisational changes which Opposition parties have in mind or which may result from Opposition party policies. Any exchanges would be confidential. Following the last general election, I told the leader of the Opposition that I would be content to authorise confidential exchanges between senior civil servants and Opposition spokesmen from January 1996.

 

Copex Arms Exhibition

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Prime Minister what (a) financial and (b) other assistance is given by Her Majesty’s Government to the Copex arms exhibition.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 27 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board Trade.

 

Duke of Windsor (Papers)

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 October, Official Report, column 747, how many other documents relating to the conduct of the Duke of Windsor during world war two are held by Her Majesty’s Government.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 2 November 1995]: British official papers in question have been released to the Public Record Office with the exception of a few items, which will be re-reviewed under the open government initiative and released at the appropriate time.

 

Lockerbie

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations Her Majesty’s Government have received from the Arab League in relation to Libyan sanctions and Lockerbie.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 2 November 1995]: None.