The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1993Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 15 January 1993

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 15th January 1993.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Calcutt Inquiry

Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister when he was first advised of the contents of the letter from Lord McGregor to Sir David Calcutt.

The Prime Minister : The first I knew of Lord McGregor’s letter was when it appeared in the national press.

 

Yugoslavia

Mr. Wareing : To ask the Prime Minister when he responded to a letter dated 9 December 1992 from President Dobrica Cosic of Yugoslavia concerning the conflict in the former Yugoslavia; if he will indicate what his response has been; and if he will seek agreement to the publication of the correspondence.

The Prime Minister : I replied to President Cosic ‘s letter on 11 January. I believe it important to maintain the confidentiality of such correspondence.

 

Denmark

Mr. Spearing : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 14 December, Official Report, column 37, what is the basis for clear distinction between the intergovernmental binding decision in respect of Denmark taken in Edinburgh, and a treaty judiciable at the International Court at The Hague.

The Prime Minister : In the EC context treaty’ is normally used for an instrument amending the Community treaties and thus requiring ratification. The decision in respect of Denmark does not amend either the Maastricht treaty or the earlier Community treaties and does not require ratification. It is, like a treaty, binding in international law.

 

Jamaica

Mr. Kaufman : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it the policy of Her Majesty’s Government to withdraw all British economic aid to Jamaica if hangings are recommenced there in February.

The Prime Minister : No. But in line with normal practice, our bilateral aid policy for Jamaica will continue to take full account of all human rights considerations.

 

Seals (Russia)

Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Prime Minister what written evidence or information Her Majesty’s Government have received from the Russian authorities concerning the seal cull in Russia; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister : The Russian authorities informed us of the 1992 culling quotas of 7,300 and 2,300 for adult hooded and harp seals respectively. We have not received any figures for 1993. The Russian authorities are well aware of public concern in the United Kingdom about seal culling.

 

Human Rights

Mr. Soley : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to incorporate article 10 of the European convention on human rights into British law.

The Prime Minister : No. Our policy remains not to incorporate the European convention on human rights into domestic law, since we believe that it is for Parliament, rather than the judiciary, to determine how the principles of human rights in the convention are best secured.

 

Honours (Withdrawal)

Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister under what circumstances he would recommend to the Queen that awards be withdrawn posthumously; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 14 January 1993] : None that I can foresee, but the forfeiture of awards is considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

Prince and Princess of Wales

Mr. Redmond : To ask the Prime Minister what consultations he held with (a) the Prince and (b) the Princess of Wales prior to his statement of 9 December 1992.

The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on Tuesday 12 January at column 697.