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 October 1993

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

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Correspondence

Ms Ruddock : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 13 June, Official Report, column 317, when he now expects to be able to reply to letters of 8 February, 31 March, 4 May and 21 June from the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford.

The Prime Minister : I have done so.

 

Human Rights (Jamaica)

Mr. Kaufman : To ask the Prime Minister whether, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, he will raise the question of human rights in Jamaica with specific reference to men held on death row.

The Prime Minister : I have no plans to do so. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs visited Jamaica from 6 to 10 September and discussed capital punishment with Jamaican Ministers, who are aware of our concern.

 

Business Opportunities

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what steps have been taken by Her Majesty’s Government since the Earth summit in June 1992 to work with industry to create business opportunities from environmental protection and enhancement.

The Prime Minister : The Government established the joint DOE/DTI environmental markets unit in late 1992 in response to a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment. The unit’s objective is to increase awareness among United Kingdom firms of the huge and growing markets for environmental goods and services and to help and encourage United Kingdom firms to exploit such opportunities.

In March the United Kingdom launched a technology partnership initiative aimed at encouraging greater co-operation in technology between businesses in the United Kingdom and those in newly industrialising countries. This will include technology for environmental protection and will open up commercial opportunities for United Kingdom companies.

 

Nuclear Trade

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what matters in regard to nuclear trade and the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield were discussed during his visit to Japan in September.

The Prime Minister : During my visit to Japan I discussed a wide range of bilateral trade issues.

 

Chlorofluorocarbons

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what meetings he has had or plans to have with officials of the Institute of Refrigeration regarding the phase-out of CFC use in refrigeration.

The Prime Minister : I have no plans to meet the institute. However, I understand that my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside is arranging a meeting with refrigeration industry representatives, including the Institute of Refrigeration, in order to discuss all aspects of ozone-depleting substances.