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 – 25 June 1991

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 25th June 1991.


PRIME MINISTER:

 

Engagements

Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25 June.

Mr. John Evans : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25 June.

The Prime Minister : This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

 

East Timor

Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Prime Minister if, at his recent meeting with Indonesia’s Minister for Research, J B Habibie, the question of the illegal occupation of East Timor was discussed; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister : East Timor was not discussed. The Indonesian authorities are aware of our views on East Timor.

 

Injured Grenadiers

Mr. John Browne : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 4 June, Official Report, column 151, when he expects to complete his examination of the case for making an ex gratia payment to the guardsmen injured at the Batus range on 7 July 1989.

The Prime Minister : As I have already indicated the proper grounds for paying compensation is on the basis of legal liability.

Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister if he will receive a deputation of hon. Members to discuss the case of Guardsmen Sean Povey, Adrian Hicks and John Ray.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 17 June 1991] : No. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Browne) earlier today.

 

Oil Seed Rape

Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Prime Minister if he will establish an inter-departmental review of the public health implications of planting crops of oil seed rape near central populations.

The Prime Minister : My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office announced in the House on 8 February 1990 at columns 1125-32 that financial support had been offered for a project based at Aberdeen university examining the possible effects on public health which might be associated with oil seed rape. I see no reason for further action at this stage.

 

Co-operatives

Mr. Michael : To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made to co-ordinate Department’s views on the proposed European statute on co-operatives, mutuals and voluntary organisations.

The Prime Minister : The European statute proposed by the European Commission on co-operatives, mutuals and voluntary organisations is still at draft stage. Given the wide coverage of the statute, a number of Departments have an interest. There are continuing inter departmental contracts at official level to co-ordinate views as necessary.

 

Council of Europe

Mr. Ward : To ask the Prime Minister if he has made any changes to the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the 43rd session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The Prime Minister [pursuant to his reply, 20 June 1991, c. 235] : The changes I have made will take effect from Friday 28 June.