The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1996Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 16 January 1996

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 16th January 1996.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Honours List

Dr. Wright: To ask the Prime Minister how many Conservative hon. Members have received knighthoods since 1979; and if he will list them by name.

The Prime Minister: A total of 127 Conservative Members have received knighthoods since 1979. The names of the recipients have been published in the London Gazette.

Dr. Wright: To ask the Prime Minister if he will define “political services” and “public and political services” in the context of the honours list.

The Prime Minister: Political services relate to those who give service to a political party. Political and public service is an appropriate description for those who have some other form of public service to their credit in addition to their political work.

 

Government Economic Policy

Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the goal of the Government’s economic policy.

The Prime Minister: The Government’s overall economic objective is to promote sustained economic growth and rising prosperity. We will continue with the policies which have given this country the lowest mortgage rates for 30 years, the lowest basic rate of tax for over 50 years and the longest period of low inflation for 50 years.

 

Refugees

Mr. Spearing: To ask the Prime Minister if he will initiate joint action by the relevant Departments of Her Majesty’s Government to determine the domicile of those persons, and their dependants, who (a) have refugee status, (b) have been given exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom or (c) have outstanding applications for refugee status; and if he will (i) publish and (ii) place in the Library the numbers of (1) such persons and (2) their dependants (x) by local authority area and (y) by parliamentary constituency.

The Prime Minister: I have no plans to do so.

 

Scott Inquiry

Mr. Alan Williams: To ask the Prime Minister what legal costs arising from the Scott inquiry have been incurred by the Government in relation to (a) himself, (b) his predecessor and (c) his or her officials and advisers.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 15 January 1996]: The Treasury Solicitor provides legal advice to the Prime Minister and his officials on a range of issues as part of his normal duties. The cost of his advice in relation to the Scott inquiry is not quantifiable. No other legal costs have been incurred in connection with the Scott inquiry on behalf of myself, my predecessor or my officials or advisers.