PMQT Written Answers – 21 February 1996
Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 21st February 1996.
PRIME MINISTER:
Kashmir
Mr. Cox: To ask the Prime Minister if he will support the setting up of an eminent persons group to seek to discuss a possible settlement to the conflict in Kashmir; and if he will make a settlement.
The Prime Minister: I am not aware of any plans to set up an eminent persons group. We continue to believe that the best way forward on Kashmir should involve simultaneous progress on dialogue between India and Pakistan; improvement in human rights in Kashmir and a genuine political process there; and a clear cessation of support for violence in Kashmir.
Naturalisation
Mr. Alton: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions in 1993 Government Whips submitted written statements or were consulted on individual applications for naturalisation as a British citizen; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 16 February 1996]: In 1993, Home Office Ministers and officials in the immigration and nationality department received 10 letters from six hon. Members who were Government Whips about individual applications for naturalisation as a British citizen, all of which were constituency cases.
Correspondence from the hon. Member for Gedling (Mr. Mitchell) cannot be located immediately. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will write to the hon. Member shortly.
No Government Whips were consulted about any individual cases for naturalisation.
Scott Inquiry
Mr. Hall: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many civil servants have been assigned to work on the Government’s response to the Scott report as of 13 February;
(2) if he will list the grades and job titles of all civil servants who have worked on the preparation of the Government’s response to the Scott report.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 16 February 1996]: The information is not held centrally and could therefore be assembled only at disproportionate cost. Access to the report itself prior to publication was, however, restricted to a small number of officials in the main Departments concerned.
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his written statement and replies to written questions posed by Sir Richard Scott to the inquiry into trade with Iraq.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 16 February 1996]: I understand that Sir Richard Scott will be publishing these documents as soon as practicable.
Mr. Smith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will now list the titles of each of the papers his office made available to the Scott inquiry.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 16 February 1996]: I understand that Sir Richard Scott will be making available the source documents referred to in his report and responses to requests for written evidence as soon as possible.
Iraq (Equipment Exports)
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the companies or individuals which made the representations referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Amber Valley (Mr. Oppenheim) on 24 November 1992, Official Report, column 583.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 16 February 1996]: No. The names of companies or individuals who have corresponded with my Department is confidential unless they give their permission for this information to be disclosed.
Chile (Armaments Production)
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what communications (a) he and (b) other Ministers received from Dr. Carlos Cardoen of Chile since 1985 over the procurement of British machine tools for the production of armaments in Chile.
The Prime Minister: As far as I am aware, we have no record of any such communications having been received from Dr. Carlos Cardoen.