The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1997Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 21 January 1997

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 21st January 1997.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Bletchley Park

Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the current ownership of Bletchley park.

The Prime Minister: The freehold of Bletchley park is owned in part by the Secretary of State for the Environment and in part by British Telecommunications.

 

Sellafield

Mr. Meacher: To ask the Prime Minister when he was first notified of the current proposals by UK Nirex Ltd. to build a rock characterisation laboratory near Sellafield.

The Prime Minister: I was made aware of the proposals in September 1992. UK Nirex Ltd. made them public in October 1992 when it published a consultative document outlining the rock characterisation facility concept.

 

Engagements

Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 21 January.

Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 21 January.

The Prime Minister: This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later today.

 

Nuclear Tests

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Prime Minister how much money to date has been paid to the Australian Government in compensation for the nuclear testing carried out by the United Kingdom in the 1950s; what work Her Majesty’s Government are currently carrying out with the Australian authorities in this area; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister: No such compensation has been paid. In 1968, Australia signed an agreement with the UK confirming that the clean-up of all test sites had been completed satisfactorily. However, in the interests of wider Anglo-Australian relations, in 1993, the UK agreed to make an ex gratia payment of £20 million, and now regards the matter as closed.

 

Ministerial Visits

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the dates he has visited Wales since 10 April 1992 in his official capacity.

The Prime Minister: I have visited Wales on official business on the following occasions since 10 April 1992:

3-4 September 1992

11 June 1993

28 October 1994

13-14 June 1996

In addition to these, I have visited Wales on a number of occasions.