PMQT Written Answers – 16 March 1994
Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 16th March 1994.
PRIME MINISTER:
Ministerial Receptions
Mr. Boyes : To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of prime ministerial receptions in 1993-94.
The Prime Minister : The cost to my office of ministerial receptions in 1993-94 is included in the overall administrative expenditure which is published every year in the Cabinet Office departmental report.
Iraq (Sanctions)
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister following the meeting on 23 February between the head of the middle eastern department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Riad El Taher and the hon. Member for Linlithgow, if he will consider the case for urging the United Nations to lift sanctions before the summer heat arrives in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates; and what estimate he has made of the incidence of disease in the river valleys.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 10 March 1994] : I am looking into the specific point which the hon. Member put to me in the House on 8 March.
The Security Council decided on 18 January that there are no grounds for lifting sanctions but medical supplies have never been subject to sanctions. There is no authoritative estimate of the incidence of disease in the river valleys.
Renault
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report, column 581, whether he will urge the French Government to sell Renault to a German car manufacturer.
The Prime Minister : No.
Mr. Paul Bennett
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Prime Minister which Minister signed in July 1992 the public interest immunity certificate in relation to the prosecution of Paul Bennett.
The Prime Minister : My right hon. and learned Friend the then Home Secretary signed the certificate.
Royal Tour (Caribbean)
Mr. Lewis : To ask the Prime Minister what is the purpose of the royal tour of the Caribbean and the cost, including the use of the royal yacht Britannia; and under which expenditure heads the cost will be borne.
The Prime Minister : The purpose of Her Majesty the Queen’s visit to Commonwealth countries and dependent territories in the Caribbean basin and to Bermuda was to reaffirm the close relationship which exists between the United Kingdom and those countries and territories. In each destination a number of specific objectives were achieved. These included demonstrating the importance we attach to our continuing responsibility for the dependent territories ; and the Queen’s continuing commitment to her realms. The visit to Guyana marked our recognition of the restoration of democratic government there.
Costs to the United Kingdom will be borne by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Metropolitan police and by Buckingham palace. Exact figures are not available : some bills have not yet been presented and the cost of diplomatic service staff who worked on the visit could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on the cost of individual voyages by the royal yacht is not maintained.
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
Dr. Lynne Jones : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 21 January, Official Report, column 850, which treaty provisions will apply when deciding whether the European Parliament will be consulted on the ratification of GATT.
The Prime Minister : The European Parliament will be consulted in accordance with the provisions of article 228 of the treaty of Rome, as amended by the Maastricht treaty. The Foreign Affairs Council agreed on 21 February that the assent procedure, as set out in that article, will apply.