PMQT Written Answers – 25 January 1994
Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 25th January 1994.
PRIME MINISTER:
Kashmir
Mr. Pike : To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had in the last six months regarding Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : I discussed Kashmir at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in October with the Prime Minister of Pakistan. We regularly raise Kashmir in our discussions with the Indian and Pakistan Governments.
Arms Supplies (Iraq)
Mr. Kaufman : To ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken to ascertain who drew up the original draft of the letter about arms supplies to Iraq that he sent to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 17 February 1992 and who made deletions in that draft to alter it to the form in which the Prime Minister sent the aforesaid letter to the right hon. Member; what explanation he has received for the deletions; and what action he intends to take (a) in regard to responsibility for the deletions and (b) in regard to writing to the aforesaid right hon. Member to correct the false impression that he now acknowledges his letter gave.
The Prime Minister : My Office has supplied Lord Justice Scott’s inquiry with the further information he requested. The issues arising are a matter for Lord Justice Scott. As will be apparent from my evidence to the inquiry, I do not accept that my letter to the right hon. Gentleman was misleading.
Public Appointments
Dr. Wright : To ask the Prime Minister which public appointments are handled by the No. 10 appointments secretary.
The Prime Minister : My appointments secretary assists me over a range of appointments in Church and state for which I am responsible, particularly those where the appointment is made by Her Majesty the Queen on my advice.
New Year’s Honours List
Mr. Bayley : To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a list of the people included in this year’s new year’s honours list with their place of residence by standard region and their occupation.
The Prime Minister : No. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
British Empire Forces
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Prime Minister where the records of all the soldiers of the British empire forces, who were sentenced to death during the first world war but whose sentences were subsequently commuted, are located; and if he will now arrange for them to be made available in the Public Record Office.
The Prime Minister : The courts martial records of British service men who were sentenced to death during the first world war but whose sentences were subsequently commuted have regrettably not survived. The available evidence suggests they were lost when a German bomb hit the main war office and Army repository in 1940.
The availability of the courts martial records of other British empire forces is a matter that should be pursued with each of the countries concerned.
Government Successes (Criteria)
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Prime Minister what are the criteria by which Her Majesty’s Government will measure their success in 1994 Official Report, column 849 .
The Prime Minister : By the success of our policies in all areas of national life.
Back to Basics
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement giving details of the Government’s “back to basics” policy.
The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 21 January 1994 Official Report, column 849
Ministers (Unsuitability for Office)
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the circumstances which render Ministers unsuitable to retain office.
The Prime Minister : There can be a variety of circumstances but the main criterion should be whether the Minister can continue to perform the duties of office effectively.
Engagements
Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25 January.
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25 January.
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.
Iraq
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister if, when he next meets President Clinton, he will discuss the report of the Harvard medical school team on child malnutrition and disease in Iraq.
The Prime Minister : I expect to meet President Clinton during my visit to Washington at the end of February. The situation in Iraq may come up in our talks then. However, United Kingdom and United States officials are in regular touch over Iraq, including the humanitarian situation.
I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 January Official Report, column 814 .
Health Promotion, Wales
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to place in the Library a copy of his efficiency unit’s efficiency scrutiny of the delivery of health promotion in Wales.
The Prime Minister : Copies of the efficiency scrutiny of health promotion in Wales were placed in the Library of the House on 1 April 1993.