PMQT Written Answers – 21 March 1996

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 21st March 1996.

PRIME MINISTER:

Engagements

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

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

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 the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

Ministerial Committee on the Co-ordination and Presentation of Government Policy

Mr. Mandelson: To ask the Prime Minister which non-ministerial individuals, other than civil servants, attend meetings of the EDCP Cabinet Committee.

The Prime Minister: Some officials from Conservative Central Office and parliamentary private secretaries attend at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister, as chairman of this committee. They do not take part in any discussions, but are ready to follow up any issues of a party political nature. In this way, the civil servants present are protected from following up matters that do not properly relate to the presentation and co-ordination of Government policy.

Departmental Contractors and Suppliers

Mr. MacShane: To ask the Prime Minister what measures his Department is taking to ensure that its contractors and suppliers (a) pay their employees a wage which ensures such employees do not need supplementary welfare payments via various state benefits and (b) meet workplace health and safety regulations; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister: For this purpose my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, on 20 March 1996, Official Report, columns 194-95.