The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1990Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 7 December 1990

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The text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 7th December 1990.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

The Gulf

Mr. Wray : To ask the Prime Minister what urgent steps he has taken in order to assess the (a) economic, (b) financial and (c) humane costs of an armed conflict of Arab, British and American troops with Iraq; and what information Her Majesty’s Government are gathering about the economic, social and political impact of such conflict upon non-oil producer countries in the third world and those in the middle east in particular.

The Prime Minister : We are doing everything in our power to contribute to a peaceful solution to the Gulf crisis based on the full implementation of the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council. It is not possible to make exact predictions of the effects of hostilities in the manner suggested, should it be necessary to use force to eject Saddam Hussein.

 

Latin America

Mr. Wray : To ask the Prime Minister what support her Majesty’s Government are giving to the call of Finance and Economy Ministers of Latin America to start negotiations with the European Community for a free trade accord.

The Prime Minister : No formal request for this purpose has been received by the Community. If one were, it would be carefully considered. The Government would play a full part in that process.

 

Nuclear Test Veterans

Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister how many representations he has received concerning compensation for nuclear test veterans.

The Prime Minister : I have not, as far as I am aware, received any representations from nuclear test veterans. The Ministry of Defence has, however, received about 120 claims from individuals seeking compensation for damage to health allegedly due to participation in the United Kingdom’s nuclear weapon test programme. In addition, a number of representations have been made by test veterans’ organisations concerning compensation for their members.

 

India

Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit India.

The Prime Minister : I have no plans at present to visit India.

 

Mr. John Hall

Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister, further to his answer on 4 December concerning the case of Mr. John Hall, Official Report, column 172 if he will agree to meet Mr. Hall to discuss compensation.

The Prime Minister : I understand that Mr. Hall is in receipt of a war pension. He has made no claim for compensation other than this. Should Mr. Hall pursue a claim for compensation, Government officials would be happy to discuss the matter with him.