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 December 1993

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

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Former Members

Mr. Meale : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list by ministerial department how many former hon. Members have been appointed to salaried positions in Government bodies since 1979, giving details in each case.

The Prime Minister : This information is not held centrally.

 

European Council

Mr. Barnes : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Council of 10 and 11 December indicating the voting record of each member of state on each item and where no formal votes were taken.

The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made following the European Council on 13 December. The task of the European Council, as set out in the treaty on European union, is to provide the union with the necessary impetus for its development and to define general political guidelines. It does not vote ; its decisions are taken by consensus. Legislative decisions under the treaties are taken by the Council of Ministers.

 

Advertising

Mr. Matthew Taylor : To ask the Prime Minister what the cost of advertising by his office has been for each year since 1979 and for each of the last 12 months.

The Prime Minister : None.

 

Honours Review

Sir Anthony Grant : To ask the Prime Minister what is the outcome of the review of honours numbers which he announced in his statement on honours of 4 March, Official Report, columns 453-63.

The Prime Minister : The review has been completed, and the outcome has been graciously approved by the Queen. The review considered the number of honours required for my list, the diplomatic service and overseas list and the defence services list, at each half-year for six years, 1994 to 1999 inclusive. As a result of the review, the number of awards available for the recognition of all forms of voluntary service will be increased by about 100 in my list, and by 20 in the diplomatic service and overseas list. The increase will be broadly matched by a reduction in the number of awards to state servants, largely reflecting the reductions in the size of the civil service and of the armed forces.

 

Ex-Ministers

Mr. Matthew Taylor : To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list those who have resigned, retired or been dismissed from ministerial office in the past 10 years and the severance pay in (i) cash and (ii) current prices paid to each one.

The Prime Minister [pursuant to his answer of 7 December 1993, columns 142-43] : Severance payment shown as having been authorised with effect from 5 May 1992 for the Chairman of Committees, House of Lords and the Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees, House of Lords were not made since both the individuals concerned were disqualified, on grounds of age, under the terms of the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.