The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1992Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 19 May 1992

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 19th May 1992.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Plutonium Production Statistics

Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister which Department of Her Majesty’s Government will be responsible for the collection and annual publication of plutonium production figures from civil nuclear power stations following the abolition of the Department of Energy.

The Prime Minister : This information will now be provided by the Department of Trade and Industry.

 

Department of Energy

Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the reallocation of resources committed to support programmes planned by the Department of Energy before it was abolished.

The Prime Minister : With the exception of work on energy efficiency, responsibility for the programmes of the former Department of Energy has been transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry. The provision for those programmes, as set out in the supply estimates for 1992-93 and approved in the Appropriation Act 1992, remains unchanged. Responsibility for energy efficiency has been transferred to the Department of the Environment.

 

Engagements

Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 May.

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

 

Listed Buildings

Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the relative responsibilities of the Department of the Environment and Department of National Heritage with respect to listed buildings.

The Prime Minister : Details were set out in news releases, issued by both Departments on 1 May, available in the Library of the House. Responsibility for the listing of historic buildings now rests with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage. Because of their close connection with planning controls, consents for works to listed buildings remain the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. There will be close consultation between the two departments, both on general policy and on particular issues. English Heritage will act as adviser to both Departments.

 

Learning Difficulties

Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to required the Secretaries of State for Employment and for Health to issue a joint circular to training and enterprise councils and joint care planning committees on ways to enhance the prospects of training for people with learning difficulties.

The Prime Minister : The Department of Health will shortly be issuing guidance to local authorities on all services for adults with learning disabilities. This guidance will cover references to the need to plan day services in close co-operation with employment services and training and enterprise councils. The guidance is being prepared in collaboration with the Department of Employment and will be copied to TECs.

 

Security Commissioner (Report)

Mr. Hague : To ask the Prime Minister when the commissioner appointed under the Security Service Act 1989 will present his annual report for 1991; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister : A copy of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith’s annual report for 1991 has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 4(6) of the Security Service Act 1989. The confidential appendix to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 4(7) of the 1989 Act. I am grateful to the commissioner for his work in reviewing the issue of warrants and in providing assistance to the tribunal as provided in the Act. I note that he is satisfied that the Secretaries of State have properly exercised their powers under the Act and that the arrangements in force for ensuring that the service discloses information only in accordance with the provisions of the 1989 Act are working satisfactorily.