PMQT Written Answers – 1 March 1994

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 1st March 1994.

---

PRIME MINISTER:

 

THORP

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise the issue of the global proliferation consequences of plutonium reprocessing at the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield at his forthcoming meeting with President Clinton in Washington.

Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has no plans to do so.

 

Kashmir

Mr. Cox : To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had over the last three months with the Indian Prime Minister on matters concerning Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has had no direct discussions with the Indian Prime Minister since their meeting in January 1993. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed Kashmir with Narasimha Rao during his visit to India last November. We have continued to take every opportunity to discuss our concerns about Kashmir with the Indians. Senior officials had extensive talks in Delhi in early February.

 

Engagements

Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 1 March.

Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is in the United States for a series of meetings including with President Clinton and the United Nations Secretary-General.

 

Official Gifts

Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister how much his office has spent on official gifts for visiting dignitaries since November 1990; and what are the criteria for determining the cost and appropriateness of such gifts.

Mr. Newton [holding answer 28 February 1994] : I have been asked to reply.

It is not the normal practice of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to provide official gifts for visiting dignitaries.