PMQT Written Answers – 22 February 1993
Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 22nd February 1993.
PRIME MINISTER:
Ministers’ Homes
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Prime Minister in how many cases improvements made at public expense in the past five years to the private homes of Ministers, for reasons of personal security, have not been used wholly or mainly for those purposes.
The Prime Minister : I am aware of no such case. Since November 1990, responsibility for the provision of security measures for public figures at threat from terrorist attack has rested with the Home Office. Before November 1990, the provision of security measures was the responsibility of the accounting officer advised by the police and the relevant departmental security officer.
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Prime Minister how many houses or buildings attached to homes belonging to Ministers or their families which have been converted or improved at public expense for reasons of personal security have been the subject of professional fee payments out of public money in the last five years.
The Prime Minister : Where security measures are provided at public expense to a person at threat from terrorist attack, professional fees will be paid if this offers the best value for money. It is not possible to identify every case where such fees have been paid.
Scott Inquiry
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out those matters in regard to exports to Iraq on which Ministers are prepared to give substantive answers while the Scott inquiry is sitting.
The Prime Minister : Lord Justice Scott has terms of reference which allow him to look into all the issues which he regards as relevant to his inquiry. Ministers will continue to answer substantive questions where to do so would not prejudice the issues being investigated by the inquiry.
Law and Order
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to transfer responsibility for law and order concerns within Wales to the Secretary of State for Wales.
The Prime Minister : The Government always keep departmental distribution of functions under review.
Polly Peck
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Prime Minister what activities were undertaken in northern Cyprus and the east Mediterranean directly or indirectly by Polly Peck for the United Kingdom Government between 1985 and 1990.
The Prime Minister : I am not aware of any such activities having been undertaken. A full trawl of all Government Departments and agencies could not be carried out without incurring disproportionate cost.
N M Rothschild
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the work obtained and the fees paid to N M Rothschild in the course of the Government’s privatisation programme since 1983.
The Prime Minister : The table shows the Government appointments made to N M Rothschild in privatisations since 1983. The fees paid are a matter of commercial confidentiality. Appointments for adviser to the Government are made following full competition. The Government’s consistent practice has been to select the firm offering the best value for money.
N M Rothschild privatisation appointments
Privatisation |Year |Appointment
—————————————————————————————-
BT |1984 |Underwriter
Britoil |1985 |Underwriter
British Gas |1986 |Adviser to Government Underwriter
Royal Ordnance |1987 |Adviser to Government
British Airways |1987 |Underwriter
Rolls-Royce |1987 |Underwriter
BAA |1987 |Underwriter
British Petroleum |1987 |Adviser to Government Underwriter
British Steel |1988 |Underwriter
Water |1989 |Underwriter
Regional Electricity |1990 |Underwriter Companies
BT |1991 |Member of French syndicate
Northern Ireland |ongoing |Adviser to Government Electricity
British Coal |ongoing |Adviser to Government
Matrix Churchill Trial
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 4 February, Official Report, column 472, how much of the evidence of the key witness was given in response to questions which referred to the disclosed documents.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 19 February 1993] : As I indicated in my answer of 4 February, I suggest matters relevant to the Matrix Churchill trial should await the outcome of Lord Justice Scott’s inquiry.
Kashmir
Mr. Cox : To ask the Prime Minister how he intends to monitor the commitment of the Prime Minister of India to respect human rights in Kashmir.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 17 February 1993] : During my visit, I encouraged the Indian Prime Minister to allow international human rights organisations and others to visit Kashmir. We shall continue to monitor the situation through our high commission in Delhi, through our contacts with human rights organisations and through media reports. We shall continue to raise human rights issues with the Indian Government.