PMQT Written Answers – 28 November 1996

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 28th November 1996.

PRIME MINISTER:

Engagements

Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 28 November.

Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 28 November.

The Prime Minister: This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

Ministerial Statements

Mr. Allen: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the circumstances in which it is acceptable for Ministers to make a statement which they know to be untrue on the Floor of the House; and what changes have been made to that list since March 1994.

The Prime Minister: There has been no change in the position as I stated it in 1994. It is clearly of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to the House. If they knowingly fail to do this, they should relinquish their positions, except in the quite exceptional circumstances, of which a devaluation or time of war or other danger to national security have been quoted as examples.

Employment Contracts

Mr. Hain: To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) full-time jobs, (b) part-time jobs, (c) full time jobs which are on (i) renewable and (ii) unrenewable fixed-term contracts, (d) part-time jobs which are on (i) renewable and (ii) unrenewable fixed-term contracts, (e) temporary jobs and (f) jobs classified as casual there have been in (1) his Department and (2) executive agencies of his Department for each year since 1992.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 25 November 1996]: For these purposes, my office is part of the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 27 November, by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General.