The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1995Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 20 December 1995

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 20th December 1995.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Organised Crime

Mr. Duncan: To ask the Prime Minister what plans the Intelligence and Security Committee has to produce a report on the proposed involvement of the Security Service in the work against organised crime.

The Prime Minister: I can confirm that I have recently received an ad-hoc report on “Security Service Work Against Organised Crime” from the Intelligence and Security Committee. After consultation I have concluded that the report does not contain any matter whose publication would be prejudicial to the continued discharge of the functions of the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service or Government Communications Headquarters, and I have presented the report to Parliament today. Copies are also being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

 

Ukraine

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his talks with President Kuchma of Ukraine on (a) co-operation on nuclear power matters, (b) co-operation on space matters and (c) future joint use of Baikenor expertise.

The Prime Minister: During my meeting with president Kuchma of Ukraine, I informed him that the United Kingdom looked forward to the signing in the near future of a G7-Ukraine memorandum of understanding regarding the closure, by the year 2000, of the remaining reactors at Chernobyl. The memorandum sets out a comprehensive programme of co-operation to support Ukraine’s decision on closure within the framework of wider energy sector reform and investment. I stressed the Government’s firm support for this programme. I did not discuss with President Kuchma co-operation on space matters or the joint use of the Baikenor launching site in Kazakhstan.

 

Small and Medium Enterprises

Mrs. Roche: To ask the Prime Minister what advice has been given to procurement staff on the implications of purchasing from small and medium enterprises;

(2) what work his Department has done to develop best practice in the publication of departmental procurement guidance material relevant to small and medium enterprises’ need.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 19 December 1995]: Guidance is included in the Cabinet Office’s draft procurement manual, which is due to be issued shortly to supplement existing Treasury guidelines. The Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency has provided guidance to its staff on the treatment of small and medium enterprises by means of legal and commercial practice notices.