The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1992Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 22 October 1992

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 22nd October 1992.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Single Market

Mr. Leighton : To ask the Prime Minister what measures are outstanding to complete the single market.

The Prime Minister : Of the 282 measures in the Commission’s White Paper, “Completing the Internal Market”, only 25 have not yet reached at least a common position or political agreement.

Of these, six fall into the agriculture area; five deal with intellectual property; five are related to VAT; four are on company law; two on financial services; two on tax; and one on rights of residence.

 

India

Mr. Khabra : To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the latest text of the extradition treaty with India.

The Prime Minister : The extradition treaty between the United Kingdom and India was signed on 23 September 1992 and copies placed in the Libraries of both Houses on that date.

 

Western Shoshone Indian Land

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what correspondence Her Majesty’s Government have received from Chief Raymond Yowell of the Western Shoshone National Council, Nevada, concerning the continued use by the United Kingdom of the Department of Energy nuclear weapons test site on Western Shoshone Indian land.

The Prime Minister : The only correspondence I have received was in October 1991. The British ambassador in Washington replied on my behalf. A copy of Sir Robin Renwick’s letter was placed in the Library of the House.

 

United Nations Day

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty’s Government have to mark United Nations Day on 24 October.

The Prime Minister : The flag of the United Nations will be flown in Parliament square on 24 October.

Our commitment to the United Nations, as a founder of the organisation and a permanent member of the Security Council, remains as firm as ever. The end of the cold war and successes in, for example, Namibia and Kuwait have given the United Nations new authority. We welcome that and will continue to work for a stronger, more effective United Nations which can meet the challenges of the 1990s.

 

EC Commissioners

Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister when he will be making a statement on the appointment of the United Kingdom’s EC Commissioners.

The Prime Minister : As announced on 20 October, I have nominated Sir Leon Brittan and Mr. Bruce Millan to serve in the Commission of the European Communities taking office in January 1993.

 

Ministry of Justice

Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to abolish the Lord Chancellor’s Department to make way for a Ministry of Justice.

The Prime Minister : None.

 

Government Consultants

Mr. McLeish : To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish guidelines concerning the appointment of consultants by his Government.

The Prime Minister : A guidance booklet on seeking help from management consultants was published by HM Treasury in May 1990. This booklet, copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses, also identifies central sources of advice and guidance for other types of consultancy, for example, information and technology and purchasing.

 

Subsidiarity

Mr. Spearing : To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the 22-page document including a draft inter-institute agreement relating to the principle of subsidiarity forwarded to him by the President of the Commission of the European Communities.

The Prime Minister : The President of the Commission made a substantial presentation on subsidiarity at the Birmingham European Council, but he has not yet formally submitted a Commission paper. When the Commission submits a paper to the Council it will, of course, be published and deposited in the normal way.

Engagements

Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 22 October.

Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 22 October.

The Prime Minister : This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.