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 – 28 January 1997

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 28th January 1997.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Arms Exports

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 25 November, Official Report, column 1, when he expects to be able to report to Parliament the results of his review of export licensing controls.

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough (Mr. Sykes) on 22 January, Official Report, columns 600-01 on progress on the Government’s response to the recommendations made by Sir Richard Scott following his inquiry into the export of arms and arms-related goods to Iraq.

 

European Council

Mr. Hawksley: To ask the Prime Minister where the European Council at the end of the United Kingdom’s presidency of the European Union in 1998 will be held.

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to announce his decision on the location of the June 1998 European summit conference.

The Prime Minister: The European Council will be held in Cardiff.

 

Derek Bentley

Miss Lestor: To ask the Prime Minister what decision he has made in respect of a pardon for Derek Bentley.

The Prime Minister: My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary is considering carefully the latest request for a posthumous free pardon. He will make an announcement as soon as a decision has been reached.

 

Minister for Children

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Minister for Children.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 27 January 1997]: I have no plans to do so. The Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns), has ministerial responsibility for children’s services at the Department of Health. However, all Government Departments are aware of the need to consider children’s interests and there are many mechanisms in place, both formal and informal, to ensure inter-departmental co-operation on children’s issues. These arrangements work well, especially now they have been expanded by the forming of the children’s services strategy group which brings together central and local government and the major voluntary organisations to look at key issues. This group is co-ordinated by the Department of Health.

 

Engagements

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