PMQT Written Answers – 2 November 1993
Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 2nd November 1993.
PRIME MINISTER:
Human Rights
Mr. Spellar : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) of 26 October, Official Report, column 589, on the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, what representations he made to the Government of India regarding abuses of human rights in Kashmir and the Punjab.
The Prime Minister : We regularly raise our concerns about Kashmir, Punjab and human rights with the Indian Government, most recently during a discussion between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Dr. Manmohan Singh, head of the Indian delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in October.
Official Secrets Act 1989
Mr. Allason : To ask the Prime Minister when (a) Desmond Bristow and (b) Brian Crozier received permission to publish their memoirs under the requirements of the Official Secrets Act 1989.
The Prime Minister : The legal advisers to the publishers of Mr. Bristow’s memoirs were informed on 26 January 1993 that the text of his book did not contain any material damaging to national security. Mr. Crozier was informed on 27 May 1993 that, while the Crown would not authorise his book, it would not prejudice national security provided that certain amendments and deletions were made to the text.
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 2 November.
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.
PM’s Office
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Prime Minister what was the Property Services Agency’s annual charge at the latest available date for buildings and services relating to his office; and what were the categories of expenditure.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 1 November 1993] : The Property Services Agency ceased to exist in April 1990; Property Holdings took on responsibility for building services on the civil estate from that date.
Property Holdings’ annual charge in respect of 10 Downing Street in 1993-94 is as follows :
|£
——————————-
Rent |600,307
Rent surcharge |54,028
New works |158,021
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost to his office in 1988-89 of major redecoration of state rooms and of major and security works; and how these costs were broken down.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 1 November 1993] : The cost of refurbishing the state rooms in 1988-89 was £499,422.
It is Government policy not to disclose the cost of works relating to security requirements.
Major works were the responsibility of the Property Services Agency in 1988 -89. No costs for major work fell to my office in this period.
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Prime Minister what office services were ascribed to his office in 1986-87 and in the latest available year; and how much was charged for these services and by whom, in each year.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 1 November 1993] : The following office services were ascribed to my office : office manager, typing support, messengers, stationery supplies, postage, laundry and cleaning, office cleaning. The costs were as follows :
Year |£
————————
1986-87 |543,000
1992-93 |891,000
The cost to my office was charged by the Cabinet Office and a number of private sector suppliers.
Chequers
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Prime Minister what was the annual charge to his office by the Ministry of Defence at the latest available date for (a) the use of aircraft and (b) the use of service personnel at Chequers.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 1 November 1993] : For 1992-93 the charge to my office by the Ministry of Defence for the use of aircraft was £145,559 and for the use of service personnel at Chequers, £230,331.