The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Category: 1979-1983 Parliament

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Sugar Beet – 12 November 1979

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding sugar beet, made on 12th November 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres in the United Kingdom were drilled for sugar beet production in 1979; and whether he considers demand will justify continued production at this level in future years.

    Mr. Peter Walker The area sown to sugar beet at 1 June 1979 was about 214,000 hectares – 529,000 acres. The area sown is only one of a number of factors which determine the supply of sugar, but I see no evidence to suggest that the United Kingdom is approaching a structural surplus. However, there is a surplus in the Community as a whole and I hope the Commission’s proposals for the sugar regime from 1980 onwards will lead to its reduction.

    Current prices £ per cow

                                                 Years ending October

                                                 1975        1976        1977        1978

    Hill herds                           81.3        116.9        118.8        118.7

    Lowland herds                  84.7        103.7        110.6        118.9

    Index in real terms 1975 = 100†

    Hill herds                           100        122        106        98

    Lowland herds                  100        104        95        94

     

    * Gross margins are defined as output minus variable costs. Output per cow is measured by calf disposals during the accounting year plus market value of calves on the farm at the end of that year. Variable costs include forage costs.

    † Obtained by adjusting the current price series by changes in the general Index of Retail Prices (RPI).

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Sugar – 9 November 1979

    The text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding sugar, made on 9th November 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has received any proposals from the European Commission for the EEC sugar regime for 1980–85; if not, when he expects to receive such proposals and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Peter Walker The Commission has not so far put forward proposals, but is expected to do so in the near future. In the absence of such proposals, I cannot make detailed comment. In general, however, I shall be aiming to secure a reduction in Community surplus production, and fair treatment for United Kingdom sugar producers and ACP cane sugar suppliers.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on the National Freight Corporation – 7 November 1979

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding the National Freight Corporation, made on 7th November 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on his plans for the future of the National Freight Corporation.

    Mr. Fowler I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) and the hon. Members for Glasgow, Central (Mr. McMillan) and for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cowans).

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Efficiency Levels – 7 November 1979

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding efficiency levels in the Civil Service, made on 7th November 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Minister for the Civil Service what measures the Government are taking to improve general efficiency in the Civil Service.
    Mr. Channon All Ministers are committed to the search for greater efficiency and have in hand the first of a series of selective examinations of their functions, in collaboration with Sir Derek Rayner. Departments have already been required to make a cut of 3 per cent. in their staff costs this year and Ministers are currently examining options for further savings in later years.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on the Closed Shop – 6 November 1979

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding the Closed Shop, made on 6th November 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning proposed legislation to limit the impact of the closed shop.

    Mr. Mayhew I have received many and varied representations on our proposals to reform the closed shop and we are currently considering these.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Local Authorities Staff – 5 November 1979

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding Local Authorities Staff, made on 5th November 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the level of local authority manpower.

    Mr. King Following is the information for England and Wales:

                               Full-time employees        Part-time employees        Full-time equivalent employees

    June 1979        1,735                        936                        2,104

    Source: Joint Manpower Watch

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Council House Sales – 25 July 1979

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding council house sales, made on 25th July 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have issued statements declining to sell their housing stock to sitting tenants; whether he will name these authorities; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Stanley I refer my hon. Friend to my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Anglesey (Mr. Best). The specific information requested by the hon. Member is not available.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Stamp Duty – 17 July 1979

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding stamp duty, made on 17th July 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums were yielded by stamp duty on the conveyancing of private property in each of the last three financial years; and what is the estimated yield for the current year.

    Mr. Peter Rees The yield of stamp duty from conveyances of all land and buildings in the years 1976–77 to 1979–80 is given below.

                                    £ million

    1976–77                102

    1977–78                134

    1978–79                187

    1979–80                (est) 265

    It is not possible to produce estimates of the yield from conveyances of private property as a separate category.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Capital Punishment in Northern Ireland – 17 July 1979

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding capital punishment in Northern Ireland, made on 17th July 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has sought the views of Service chiefs in the Province on the practicability of restoring capital punishment; and what views they expressed.

    Mr. Humphrey Atkins My consultations with the Chief Constable of the RUC and the GOC, Northern Ireland must remain confidential.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Capital Punishment – 17 July 1979

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Commons question regarding capital punishment, made on 17th July 1979.

    Mr. Major asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has held consultations with the Association of Chief Constables to determine their views upon the restoration of capital punishment; and whether he will issue a statement.

    Mr. Whitelaw I have taken no steps to ascertain formally the views on this subject of the Association of Chief Police Officers: but I understand that chief officers of police hold differing views on the question of the re-introduction of capital punishment.