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 – 6 March 1997

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 6th March 1997.

PRIME MINISTER:

 

Lockerbie

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 28 February, Official Report, columns 419-20, if he will put forward proposals for a bilateral extradition agreement between the United Kingdom and Libya.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 5 March 1997]: No. The United Nations Security Council decided that Libya must surrender the accused for trial in Scotland or the USA.

 

Engagements

Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Thursday 6 March.

Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 6 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 this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

 

Organophosphates

Mr. Alfred Morris: To ask the Prime Minister from what date information was available to any Government Department about the dangers to health from the use of organophosphates; what action was then taken to ensure that all Departments considering their use were made conversant with the dangers; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister: Organophosphates were first investigated for use as insecticides in the 1930s in Germany. Since then, information on the health effects of OPs has accumulated over time. Much of the information is in peer-reviewed scientific journals, books or World Health Organisation publications and is therefore available to all Government Departments as well as to the general public.

Government Departments receive advice and information on a regular and on-going basis about OPs and their possible effects on human health from a number of sources both external and internal. OP compounds have been reviewed on many occasions, including the independent expert committees which advise the Government on pesticides and veterinary products. They have not recommended a ban or suspension of the use of this class of compounds.

 

Governor-General Visits

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Prime Minister if he will recommend that an invitation be issued to (a) the Governor-General of Australia, (b) the Governor-General of Canada and (c) the Governor-General of New Zealand to make a visit to the United Kingdom of equivalent status to a state visit.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 4 March 1997]: No.