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 – 18 May 1993

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 18th May 1993.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Chevening House

Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list and describe the items belonging to Chevening house which were auctioned on 10 May with their reserve price and the amounts which were received for each item at the auction.

The Prime Minister : The disposal of items of property from Chevening house is a matter for the trustees and not the Government. My right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal is the ex-officio chairman of the Chevening trustees and I will arrange for him to write to the hon. Member.

 

Security Services

Mr. Cryer : To ask the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to make the security services the subject of an annual debate in Parliament on the basis of an annual report; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister : There will be an opportunity for Parliament to debate such matters when legislation on the secret intelligence service and the Government communications headquarters is brought forward.

 

Salman Rushdie

Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list (a) the place, time and date when he met Salman Rushdie and (b) the length of the meeting; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister : I met Mr. Rushdie at the House of Commons on 11 May for about 40 minutes. Mr. Rushdie briefed me about the problems he faced and his approach to them. I underlined the Government’s full support for Mr. Rushdie’s fundamental rights as a British citizen and expressed concern that the Iranian authorities had failed to repudiate the incitement to his murder in the “fatwa” and the bounty which an Iranian organisation had offered. Mr. Rushdie expressed appreciation of the Government’s support for him. The United Kingdom has a deep respect for Islam. I believe that Iran’s behaviour towards Mr. Rushdie has done a disservice to that great religion.

 

Engagements

Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 18 May.

Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 18 May.

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.