The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1991Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 7 June 1991

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 7th June 1991.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Middle East (Arms Control)

Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister what recent consultations Her Majesty’s Government have had with the United States Government concerning the creation of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister : We worked closely with the United States Government and other members of the United Nations Security Council in the preparation of Security Council resolution 687, which specifically refers to the need to work towards the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. President Bush’s recent initiative, if implemented, would be an important step towards that objective.

 

Special Forces

Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister what questions Her Majesty’s Government have answered relating to special forces since November 1990.

The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 24 January at column 317 and on 21 March 1991 at column 230 and by me on 17 May 1991 at column 281 and 20 May at column 333.

 

National Security

Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister (1) whether GCHQ, or Cleave station, Warminster has undertaken surveillance of any communications in order to assist criminal or civil investigations or to aid the enforcement of court orders since 1979;

(2) whether GCHQ, or Cleave station, Warminster has undertaken surveillance of any communications for purposes other than national security since 1979;

(3) what provisions are in place to prevent the dissemination of information gathered at GCHQ, or Cleave station, Warminster, in cases other than those representing a clear danger to national security.

The Prime Minister : It has been the policy of successive Governments not to discuss the work of the intelligence services. The dissemination of intercepted information is governed by safeguards under the Interception of Communications Act 1985.

 

NUM

Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will request the commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 to report on allegations of the use of intercepted material in pursuit of the enforcement of court orders against the National Union of Mineworkers.

The Prime Minister : No.

 

Foreign Visits (Journalists)

Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 3 June, Official Report, column 34, if he will list by date of journey and newspaper those accounts for journalists travelling on official transport provided for Prime ministerial visits abroad which remained unsettled as of 3 June.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 6 June 1991] : It is not my practice to give details of outstanding accounts.