Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview in Lyon – 28 June 1996

Below is the text of Mr Major’s doorstep interview in Lyon, held on Friday 28th June 1996.

QUESTION:

Prime Minister, what difference will yesterday’s statement on terrorism make?

PRIME MINISTER:

I think there is now a clear understanding of the extent of terrorism, the extent to which it is an international problem. Clearly we can’t find all the solutions we would wish in a couple of days meeting. What we have agreed to do is to study the matter more carefully, to call more structured meetings at which Security Ministers and Foreign Ministers would attend, so clearly at a very high level from each government, and then examine detailed measures so that we can coordinate more closely against what is an international menace.

QUESTION:

What are you expecting from today’s discussions on the global economy?

PRIME MINISTER:

I think there are a number of things we will be looking at today. Certainly we will be looking at the third world, we will be looking at how the IMF and other bodies can help in developing countries, and also looking at some of the international problems there have been on regulation over recent years.

QUESTION:

Are you surprised at the apparent shift in policy by Mr Blair on devolution?

PRIME MINISTER:

He does seem to have buckled, that certainly does seem to be the case as far as a referendum is concerned. He has said on many occasions there won’t be a referendum. Now, at the first whiff of grapeshot there is to be a referendum. Well I think this is probably the first of very many retreats on this particular policy. It hasn’t been properly thought out, they don’t know how it is going to operate, they haven’t answered any of the serious questions and I believe it is now going to come under very close scrutiny indeed. So I think it is becoming a central item on the domestic agenda.