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 – 18 November 1996

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 18th November 1996.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

European Summit

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received in relation to the location of the summit meeting during the next United Kingdom presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Union.

Mr. Ron Davies: To ask the Prime Minister when he estimates Her Majesty’s Government will decide its preferred venue for the 1998 European Union summit.

The Prime Minister: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has expressed support for Cardiff as a possible location for the June 1998 European Council. I am also aware of early-day motion 173 which also proposes Cardiff. An announcement will be made in due course.

 

Iraq

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his response to the letter from Friendship across Frontiers, signed by the chairman, Riad El Taher, on 6 November, about the mortality rate of Iraqi children, and the UNICEF report.

The Prime Minister: So far as I am aware, my office has not yet received this letter.

 

Tigris and Euphrates Valleys

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what response Her Majesty’s Government have given to the Secretary General of the Arab League’s representations about the humanitarian situation in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 15 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, discussed the humanitarian situation in Iraq during the Secretary General’s visit to London in May 1996, and in Cairo in June 1996, raising in particular Saddam Hussein’s indifference to the suffering of the Iraqi people. Saddam Hussein continues to delay implementation of UN Security Council resolution 986 by attempting to renegotiate issues already with the UN. Like the Arab League, we want SCR 986 implemented as soon as possible; it will bring much needed relief to millions of Iraqis.