PMQT Written Answers – 13 May 1991

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 13th May 1991.

PRIME MINISTER:

Labour Party Programme

Mr. Cohen : To ask the Prime Minister whether any civil servants will be involved in carrying out the costing of Labour’s programme to which he referred in his answer of 7 May, Official Report, column 624.

The Prime Minister : Guidance on the involvement of civil servants in costing policies of Opposition parties is set out in the fifth report of the Treasury and Civil Service Committee, Session 1989-90, HC 260.

General Pinochet

Mr. Nellist : To ask the Prime Minister whether any Government Minister or official plans to meet General Pinochet on his forthcoming visit to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister : No.

Aid Budget

Mrs. Clwyd : To ask the Prime Minister if he will now set a timetable for the United Kingdom to meet the United Nations aid target of 0.7 per cent. of gross national product.

The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 30 April at column 163.

Red Cross Appeal

Mr. Madden : To ask the Prime Minister who approved the Government’s £10 million contribution to the Red Cross appeal for the Kurds; when such approval was given; from which departmental budget the donation came; what proportion of the Government’s donation will be allocated to relieve hardship of Kurds and Shias in Iraq and Iran; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister : I announced the Government’s decision to contribute £10 million to the “Simple Truth” refugee appeal in my reply to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 29 April at column 31. This addition to the overseas aid programme will provide relief to all Iraqi refugees, not just Kurds.