The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Category: Prime Minister (1990-1997)

  • Mr Major’s Statement on Iraq – 13 January 1993

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s statement on Iraq, made at Downing Street in London on Wednesday 13th January 1993.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    As you know, Royal Air Force Tornadoes and tankers have today taken part in a limited Coalition attack on surface-to-air missiles and their associated command and control facilities in southern Iraq. There have been no Allied casualties. All our aircraft have returned safely to base and preliminary information – and I emphasise that, preliminary information – indicates that the aircraft accomplished their mission satisfactorily.

    Let me say that we did not take this action lightly. Last year, we established a no-fly zone over southern Iraq and the purpose of that was quite clear – it was to stop Saddam Hussein from the repression of his own people. Over the last few weeks, our aircraft in that no-fly zone have come under increasing threat, threat from Iraqi aircraft themselves entering the no-fly zone and from missile batteries installed in Southern Iraq.

    Over recent days, the Iraqis have been ample warning. The action that we have taken tonight has deliberately been both limited and proportionate but we believe it will be effective in establishing the conditions which will enable our aircraft to operate in the no-fly zone with safety.

    The Iraqi regime are in breach of Security Council requirements on a number of fronts. They pose a threat to aircraft protecting the Kurds in Northern Iraq, they are impeding the actions of the UN inspection teams, they are illegally entering Kuwaiti territory. Each and every one of those breaches needs to stop. If they don’t, we shall have no hesitation – again with our Allies – in taking the necessary action to enforce Security Council Resolutions.

    The Secretary of State for Defence will be making a statement to the House at 10 o’clock.

    I will take one or two questions.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    QUESTION:

    Prime Minister, have you spoken to President Bush about your next action?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I shall be speaking to President Bush again within a few minutes.

    QUESTION:

    Do you have any idea of the level of Iraqi casualties that might have come from such missions?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Not at this stage.

    QUESTION (Michael Brunson, ITV):

    How long can this cat-and-mouse game with Saddam go on? People are saying he should be taken out once and for all.

    PRIME MINISTER:
    I think he has had a very clear indication today of the fact that people are growing increasingly intolerant of his defiance of the Security Council Resolutions. I hope that he will learn from the lesson.

    QUESTION (Robin Oakley, BBC TV):

    Do you expect this action to put an end to violations by Saddam Hussein and are the Allies prepared to step up action if he continues to defy UN Resolutions?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We are prepared to make sure that the Security Council Resolutions are enforced. I hope this will put an end to the infringements. We have hoped that before and it has not. If he infringes again, he must expect us to retaliate again and we have made it entirely clear to him that we will certainly do that.

    QUESTION:

    Do you regret not dealing with Saddam Hussein tougher two years ago?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No. I think the decision that was taken to stop the fighting at the time we did was the right decision at the time. One has to recall we were operating under a UN mandate; that mandate had been enforced; we had no legal authority to do more and I believe it was right to stop when we did.

    QUESTION:

    Are you prepared to take the same tough action against the Serbs since many Muslims may feel that Christians in Europe are applying double standards?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think people know the action that we have already taken in humanitarian aid in Bosnia and we have a substantial number of troops on the ground and you will know the very sad news indeed that one of them was killed this morning.

    Thank you very much indeed.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 12 January 1993

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 12th January 1993.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Prince and Princess of Wales

    Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister how many times he met the Prince and Princess of Wales to discuss their separation before his announcement on 9 December 1992.

    The Prime Minister : I meet both the prince and princess periodically to discuss a range of issues.

     

    Engagements

    Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

    Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

    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.

     

    Nuclear Test Veterans

    Ms. Lynne : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 1992, Official Report, column 655, when the further report from the National Radiological Protection Board on mortality and cancer evidence relating to nuclear test veterans will be published; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. McMaster) on 24 November at column 577.

  • PMQT – 12 January 1993

    Below is the text of Prime Minister’s Question Time from 12th January 1993.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Engagements

    Q1. Mr. Olner : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

    The Prime Minister (Mr. John Major) : 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.

    Mr. Olner : I thank the Prime Minister for that reply. Many hundreds of skilled workers in my constituency are, unfortunately, out of work at the present time. Quite frankly, they are suffering from the Government’s failure to support employers. Can we look forward in 1993 to no more false dawns but to positive action on jobs so that my constituents and their families can regain some dignity?

    The Prime Minister : We all wish to see recovery–there is no difference between any hon. Members on that subject. We shall get lasting recovery only if we have the right basics. These include low inflation, modest interest rates and the right exchange rate. They are now all in place.

    Mr. Day : Has my right hon. Friend seen reports that the National Union of Teachers is to organise a boycott of tests for 14-year-olds? If those reports are correct, will he condemn such action as disgraceful and highly damaging,

    The Prime Minister : I am certainly prepared to condemn any such call and any such action. I suspect that teachers will be far too sensible to take any such action. Those tests are vital. They are good for children, parents want to see them, teachers need to know how well the children are performing, and parents have a right to know how well their children are performing. Those tests will provide that information.

    Mr. John Smith : Since the wrecking of the Braer is a major environmental disaster and one which could happen again before the inquiries that were announced yesterday have been completed, will the Prime Minister take interim action now to protect our coastlines? Will he convene an urgent meeting with the oil companies to obtain an assurance from them that only the safest routes will be used for the transport of oil while the inquiries are going on? Will he also agree to proposals that have been made to make adequate radar facilities available in sensitive areas so that the continuing traffic in oil can be monitored while the inquiries proceed?

    The Prime Minister : I will certainly invite my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to examine those matters. They may have many ramifications and I think that I should have them examined before I give the right hon. and learned Gentleman a concrete answer.

    Mr. John Smith : I at least welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to refer this to his right hon. and learned Friend, but I ask him to engage himself in this important matter. Will he bear in mind that it is frequently the case in matters of aviation that interim action, such as the grounding of aircraft, may be taken while inquiries are being undertaken? Will he bear in mind the acute anxiety that exists in areas all round the coast at what has happened in the Shetlands? May I invite him to look into it personally and to make an early report to the House?

    The Prime Minister : That may well be. As I indicated to the right hon. and learned Gentleman a moment ago, it is prudent to examine a matter carefully before making a commitment. [Interruption.] Were I to make a commitment without doing so, the right hon. and learned Gentleman would be right to be critical. Of course my right hon. and learned Friend will examine it carefully ; he will report to me and we shall report to the House.

    Mr. Nigel Evans : Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that private sector skills have greatly benefited industries such as Rover cars, gas, electricity and British Telecom, following policies which the Opposition have opposed at every turn? Will he confirm to the House today that soon these same private sector skills will be made available to British Rail?

    The Prime Minister : I can certainly offer that assurance, and no doubt my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport will give further details later this afternoon.

     

    Q2. Mr. Ronnie Campbell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

    The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave some moments ago.

    Mr. Ronnie Campbell : Is the Prime Minister aware that Swan Hunter shipbuilding on the Tyne is now on the verge of complete closure, with the loss of 2,000 jobs and disaster for the north-east? Can he therefore confirm that the new helicopter carrier is still in the programme to be built on the Tyne?

    The Prime Minister : We have received tenders and we are considering them at the present time.

    Mr. Dykes : If my right hon. Friend has time to think about it today, will he agree that legitimate attempts to protect the privacy of prominent and other citizens alike should not be used as an excuse to launch a fundamental attack on the freedom of the press, which is so vital to a thriving democracy?

    The Prime Minister : The Government have now received the report of Sir David Calcutt and we shall publish it shortly. The whole House will then have an opportunity to make up its mind on the contents of the report.

    Mr. Ashdown : In view of the grave news of the breakdown of the Geneva talks as a result of Bosnian Serb intransigence, will the Prime Minister now confirm that the British Government are prepared to act with others to protect against the future elimination of the Muslim homeland, to maintain the isolation of the Bosnian Serbs and to increase the pressure, political and military, to force the Bosnian Serbs to return to the peace table?

    The Prime Minister : I share the right hon. Gentleman’s regret at the breakdown of the discussions in Geneva. I believe that Cyrus Vance and Lord Owen have done an outstanding job. They have put forward a fair plan. It is a matter of great regret that the Bosnian Serbs are unpersuaded and unprepared to accept it. Sooner or later there must be a negotiated settlement ; the only question is whether it comes now or following further repression, further suffering and further difficulties. The international community will wish to apply further pressure if the Bosnian Serbs continue to reject this settlement.

    Mr. Mark Robinson : Does my right hon. Friend agree with me on the important role that small and medium-sized businesses will have to play in economic recovery? Will he undertake to sweep away the unnecessary layers of red tape and bureaucracy which so tie down some of our small businesses?

    The Prime Minister : I have indicated that it is certainly the Government’s intention to do so. We have already made good progress since the election, but I now want us to go both further and faster. I have therefore asked every Department in Whitehall to prepare plans for action on deregulation. I shall be meeting every Secretary of State in early February, with their permanent secretaries, and I hope that we can then draw up a detailed plan for deregulation of burdens on business.

     

    Homelessness

    Q3. Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Prime Minister, when he next expects to meet representatives of London’s homeless.

    The Prime Minister : I have no plans to do so, but my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing meets representatives regularly.

    Mr. Corbyn : Is it not about time the Prime Minister met representatives of London’s homeless to learn that 40,000 families–about 100,000 people–spent Christmas in temporary accommodation, a 10 per cent. increase on a year ago, that there are 50,000 single homeless in London and more than 2,000 sleeping on the streets, a 10 per cent. increase on a year ago and a fivefold increase on five years ago? Is it not about time money was provided to local authorities to buy and build so that families can grow up in decent accommodation rather than suffering the indignity of bed and breakfast accommodation, and public resources were put where they are needed to provide decent homes for the people of this city rather than building empty office blocks for speculative gain?

    The Prime Minister : The hon. Gentleman neglected to mention the number of empty houses either in his own local authority’s stock or in that of many local authorities. Liverpool, Hackney, Burnley, Manchester, Salford and North Tyneside all have a very bad record on empty properties.

    When my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing or I next meet representatives of the homeless we shall be able to tell them that recent figures show a continuing decline in the number of families in bed and breakfast accommodation, nationally by 23 per cent. and by 30 per cent. in London and the south-east. I shall be able to remind them of the £750 million housing package announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the autumn statement. That will further reduce the numbers in bed and breakfast. I might also remind them of the £100 million scheme for sleeping rough which has been amazingly successful.

     

    Engagements

    Q4. Mr. Riddick : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

    The Prime Minister : I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave some moments ago.

    Mr. Riddick : Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the things that the British people expect from the Conservative Government is tough action on law and order [Interruption.]

    Madam Speaker : Order. The House must come to order.

    Mr. Riddick : Does the Prime Minister share my concern about the increasing problem of persistent young offenders carrying out crimes such as car crime, burglaries and joy riding? Will he confirm that the Government will take tough action to combat those problems–unlike the Labour party, which is soft on crime?

    The Prime Minister : I will take scoffing from the Labour party on law and order when they begin to support the prevention of terrorism Acts– [Interruption.]

    Madam Speaker : The House must come to order to hear what the Prime Minister has to say–[Interruption.] All parts of the House, for that matter.

    The Prime Minister : On the assumption that Members of the House did not hear what I said a moment ago, I shall repeat it for their benefit. I will take words from the Opposition on law and order when they stop opposing the prevention of terrorism Acts.

    I certainly agree with my hon. Friend about law and order. I certainly share his concern about the persistent offending of so many young people. I have therefore asked my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary to look urgently at the existing arrangements for dealing with juvenile offenders and to consider what new measures it is sensible to introduce. This is one of the areas of greatest concern in the growth of crime statistics and one with which we are determined to deal.

     

    Q5. Mr. Skinner : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

    The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave some moments ago.

    Mr. Skinner : Does the Prime Minister agree that the biggest problem facing this country at present is the scourge of mass unemployment? Is he aware that it is costing £9,000 for the taxpayer to finance somebody out of work? That is a total cost of £30 billion out of a public sector borrowing requirement of £37 billion. If the Prime Minister tackled that problem, he would be tackling the economy’s problems as well. He has the fate of 100,000 people in his hands–30,000 of them miners–in the course of the next few weeks. He could resolve the problem easily. If he will give a subsidy of only half that which is given to nuclear power he will be able to save all 31 pits and 100,000 jobs, export coal to every continent in the world and resolve some of the balance of payments problems as well. Will the Prime Minister stop dithering and do it?

    The Prime Minister : I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman about the scourge of unemployment. The difference between him and me would be the right method with which to deal with it and to ensure that there are long- term jobs subsequently available. I note what he says about the problem of the pits, but I have no intention of anticipating the coal review, which will be brought before the House as speedily as possible. While the hon. Gentleman continues to support policies such as a payroll tax on jobs, the social chapter, and a national minimum wage, he is not in the best position to lecture us about job losses.

     

    Q6. Mr. Nicholls : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

    The Prime Minister : I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave some moments ago.

    Mr. Nicholls : Will my right hon. Friend take time today to consider the wider implications of the rundown or closure of Devonport dockyards? Does he appreciate that the continuing uncertainty is causing unhappiness not just in the city of Plymouth but throughout the west country? I appreciate that he cannot announce a decision today, but will he at least assure the people of Devon and Cornwall that when the time comes for that decision to be made he will have their concerns very much in the forefront of his mind?

    The Prime Minister : I appreciate the great concern in the minds of the people of Devon–and, indeed, of those of near Rosyth–concerning the decisions that need to be taken about the dockyards. I know that that uncertainty is worrying people. The Secretary of State for Defence will announce our proposals as soon as he can. I assure my hon. Friend that there will be no undue delay.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 11 January 1993

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 11th January 1993.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Scottish Constitution

    Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the people whom he has consulted in connection with his stocktaking exercise about Scotland’s constitutional position.

    The Prime Minister : I have had frequent opportunities to hear views from people of all political persuasions and from many backgrounds, including the church, the law, business, academic life, the arts and the media.

     

    India

    Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister which cities he intends to visit on his next visit to India.

    The Prime Minister : I shall visit Delhi as a guest of the Indian Government on republic day on 26 January. I shall also visit Bombay.

     

    UN Population Conference

    Mr. Worthington : To ask the Prime Minister (1) in which country the United Nations conference on world population will be held; and on what dates;

    (2) what proposals the Government have to involve relevant non-governmental organisations in preparation for the 1994 United Nations conference on world population;

    (3) what proposals the Government have to enable (a) relevant non-governmental organisations and (b) hon. Members to attend the 1994 United Nations conference on world population;

    (4) which Government Department is to be responsible for the 1994 United Nations population conference.

    The Prime Minister : The international conference on population and development will take place in Cairo from 5 to 13 September 1994. A decision will be taken shortly on which Government Department will also take prime responsibility for United Kingdom preparations for the conference. The Government will make proposals shortly for how hon. Members and relevant non-governmental organisations might be involved in the preparations.

     

    Committee of Permanent Representatives

    Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to apply the decision to improve transparency in the activities of the European Council to the availability to Parliament of (a) the minutes of COREPER and (b) proposals prepared by COREPER for the Council prior to their consideration by the Council.

    The Prime Minister : There are no such plans.

     

    EC Monetary Reserve

    Sir Teddy Taylor : To ask the Prime Minister why the European Council in Edinburgh concluded that the EC’s monetary reserve should be halved between 1994 and 1995; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : The decision was taken in the light of the recent reform of the CAP, which involves a shift away from price support towards direct payments to producers. That should make CAP expenditure progressively less susceptible to the impact of fluctuations in the dollar/ecu exchange rate.

     

    EC Agriculture Spending

    Sir Teddy Taylor : To ask the Prime Minister why the European Council concluded on 11-12 December that agriculture spending by the EC would fall between 1993 and 1994; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : The figures to which my hon. Friend refers are those for the agricultural guidelines in constant 1992 prices. The guideline is calculated in real terms by up-rating the 1988 baseline figure by 74 per cent. of the estimated growth in real Community gross national product (GNP) between 1988 and the year in question. This calculation takes place when the Commission submits its preliminary draft budget. For 1993, therefore, the guideline was calculated in May 1992. Subsequently, the estimate of Community GNP was revised downwards. Although the decision was too late to affect the 1993 figure it will be reflected in the guideline for 1994 and thereafter. The estimate for the guideline for 1994 to 1999, used by the European Council in its future financing plans, takes account of this latest information.

     

    European Environmental Agency

    Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements were agreed at the Edinburgh summit for the siting of the European Environmental Agency.

    The Prime Minister : It was agreed at the European Council that the siting of the European Environmental Agency will be decided by common agreement between member states at a forthcoming European Council, giving appropriate priority to member states who do not at present provide the sites for Community institutions.

     

    Edinburgh Summit

    Sir Teddy Taylor : To ask the Prime Minister if section A (Citizenship) on page 5 B of part B of the “Conclusions of the Presidency” in Edinburgh was designed by the Council to apply to all member states.

    The Prime Minister : The section referred to by the hon. Member was designed to meet Danish concerns but it represents an interpretation of the provisions of the Maastricht treaty relating to citizenship of the union which was agreed by all member states and is true for all of them.

    Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Prime Minister what procedures he proposes for ratification of the inter-governmental agreement reached at Edinburgh on Danish qualifications to the Maastricht treaty.

    The Prime Minister : The decision does not require ratification.

    Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on how Her Majesty’s Government propose to implement the decision set out at paragraph 7 of the Edinburgh declaration on the conclusions of the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council to increase public investment in decision-making.

    The Prime Minister : The United Kingdom will work closely with other members of the Council, the Commission and Parliament to ensure that the measures on transparency agreed in Edinburgh are put into practice as soon as possible.

    Sir Teddy Taylor : To ask the Prime Minister why the European Council in Edinburgh concluded that there should be no increase in the provision of loan guarantees between 1993 and 1999; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : The Edinburgh European Council endorsed the conclusions of the ECOFIN Council in October that the Community’s growing international responsibilities had led to an increase in the level and scope of lending to non-member states backed by guarantees on the EC budget, and that considerations of prudent budgetary management and financial discipline called for the establishment of a new financial framework, including an appropriate form of provisioning. The European Council accordingly agreed that a guarantee fund should be established, with a target size of 10 per cent. of the Community’s outstanding liabilities arising from external loans and guarantees ; and that this should be financed by a reserve in the financial perspective not exceeding 300 million ECU in each year from 1993 to 1999 (in 1992 prices), from which payments would be made into the fund in proportion to the value of new loans agreed. This framework will be sufficient to allow continuing significant levels of new lending to non-member states guaranteed on the EC budget.

    Mr. Spearing : To ask the Prime Minister if he will give the names of the persons signing their names as plenipotentiary of each relevant state to the inter-governmental decision relating to Denmark at the European Council meeting in Edinburgh.

    The Prime Minister : The decision relating to Denmark was not signed. This does not affect its character as an agreement binding in international law between the parties to the treaty on European union on how certain of its provisions are to be interpreted and applied.

     

    Princess of Wales

    Mr. Hoyle : To ask the Prime Minister what advice he received from sources outside the Government concerning the constitutional position of the accession to the throne of the Princess of Wales, before making his statement to the House of 9 December.

    The Prime Minister : The advice which I took on this matter is confidential.

     

    Gambling

    Mr. Peter Bottomley : To ask the Prime Minister if he will describe the process by which concerned people can contribute to and respond to Government ideas on maintaining, abolishing or changing the restrictions on stimulation of gaming or gambling.

    The Prime Minister : The processes are the same as those for any other aspect of Government policy. As necessary, the Government issue consultation documents on particular aspects of the gambling controls. In addition, interested parties may at any time make their views known direct to Government or via Members of Parliament.

  • Mr Major’s Comments on Saddam Hussein – 8 January 1993

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on Saddam Hussein, made on 8th January 1993.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We’ve told Saddam Hussein. He’s been told quite clearly by the Allies that we wish to ensure the safety of the no-fly zone. Firstly he must honour the no-fly zone. There must be no more flying in it. And secondly, he must remove the SAM missiles. That’s made clear to him, he knows that and set a time frame for it. I hope he will comply.

  • Mr Major’s Comments on the Economy – 3 January 1993

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on the economy, held during an interview held on Sunday 3rd January 1993.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked whether 1993 would be a year of economic recovery].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think it will move at a different pace. I think what we see as we move into 1993 are the conditions in place that will re-engender confidence, encourage people to spend, to invest and the recovery to begin and I think that is generally the view of industry and commerce. I think it will be gentle. I don’t suddenly imagine we are going to be bounding into a speedy recovery and frankly, that is a good thing because the one thing we don’t want to do is to move so fast into it that we create problems two years down the road; so I think it will be gentle, it will accelerate and I hope we will have a larger level of growth in 1994 than we expect in 1993.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked what he forecast growth to be in 1993 and 1994].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Forecasts are dangerous things, as we have found in the past. One always has to make a series of assumptions, a series of judgements, and they can be quite significantly out – they have been for every Chancellor over the last quarter of a century – but our forecast is for a gentle growth of around 1% this year, some think it will be exceeded, some think it is about right. It is too early to be certain about that but that there will be growth I think is increasingly apparent and I think it will accelerate after 1993.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked if that was a trend, and whether growth in 1994 might therefore be 2.5%].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I hope we are going to move in that direction, yes. We will have a look again at the forecasts later in the year as we see how 1993 begins to develop but I think we need to move back to trend growth. The recession was longer than we expected and it was deeper than we expected and one of the reasons for caution about how rapidly one will come out of recession is not so much what is happening in this country but what is happening in our principal markets abroad because as we show signs of coming out of recession some of our partners in Europe are perhaps seeing their economies still slowing down.

  • Mr Major’s Comments on the Balkans – 31 December 1992

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on the Balkans, made in an interview on Thursday 31st December 1992.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked what could the European Community and the United Nations do about the Balkans].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think it is worth first of all putting into context what has already been happening and the cause of the conflict there. What we have seen breaking out in the former Yugoslavia are age-old feuds and hatreds; they have been bitter hatreds that have existed in many cases for centuries, from time to time they break out. That has happened in Yugoslavia over the last twelve months or so.

    We have been trying to seek a political settlement, a diplomatic settlement and I think it is fair to say that Britain has been in the lead for that search firstly with Lord Carrington, now Lord Owen and with Cy Vance. It was the British that sent Dame Ann Warburton there to look at many of the vicious attacks there had been on Muslim women and of course it was Britain as President of the European Community that called the London Conference, so we have been in the forefront firstly of seeking a diplomatic settlement but also of course we were the first to provide in significant numbers troops to help with humanitarian aid in Bosnia and it is absolutely vital that that humanitarian aid continues so I think it is worth putting that in context first.

    What has been happening over recent weeks I think also needs looking at very carefully. We have three principal concerns: the first is to seek a political solution if one is available; the second is to ensure that the humanitarian aid continues to be delivered; and the third is to bring to an end within Bosnia hostilities and to prevent hostilities spreading beyond Bosnia down to Kosovo or down to the south. That is absolutely vital and I think one of the main concerns we have is ensuring not just that we stop the present conflict but that we prevent a wider conflict erupting.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked that the British role so far hadn’t stopped Serb aggression, and was British action sufficient].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Let us consider the options firstly. As far as sanctions are concerned, they have had some impact, not a dramatic impact. I think those sanctions can be stepped up and perhaps stepped up quite dramatically – that may well be necessary. I think also we may have to look at complete and total diplomatic isolation of Serbia. I think that also is a possibility that we will need to look at and we certainly need to tighten as well as extend the existing sanctions regime. Contemplation of all that is going on at the moment and it may be necessary.

    I think Serbia should understand very plainly the increasing impatience and despair that is felt in the West at the way in which they have been behaving. Everyone to a certain extent is to blame for the present conflict that we see, but the primary blame, beyond a doubt in our mind, lies with the Serbs. They are the principal cause of the present conflict and people are getting very impatient with that, not just us – the European Community collectively, the United States and others as well. I don’t believe they should push that impatience too far.

  • Mr Major’s Christmas Message to the Falkland Islands – 25 December 1992

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Christmas message to the Falkland Islands, recorded on Monday 7th December 1992.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    At every Conservative Party conference, I make a point of visiting the Falkland Islands stand. It is a reminder that although you are far away in miles you occupy a prominent place in our thoughts and in our affections.

    It has not been an uneventful year for any of us. Throughout Europe we face one of the longest and deepest recessions that we have ever known and I know that you face problems too, especially over your income from fisheries and because of the low world price for wool. Let us hope that 1993 will be a better year for all of us. For you it will I know see the start of the seismic survey which will show at last whether there is oil in commercial quantities in Falklands’ waters. We have our fingers crossed for you.

    Norma and I were very sorry not to visit you during your heritage year but I have heard of its success and I warmly congratulate you upon it. As you can imagine, problems near home have loomed large this year and have prevented me from travelling very far afield but I hope I shall be able to remedy what is undoubtedly my loss before too long and I do hope you realise that out of sight does not mean out of mind. We continue to give very high priority to your interests and to your welfare and not from a sense of duty alone hut because of the genuine strength of feeling for you here at home in Britain.

    Hardly a day goes by when we do not owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women of the Armed Forces and not least of course for what they do in the Falkland Islands, It is at this time of the year that family separations are the hardest to bear so I send the men and women of the Armed Forces in the Falklands my very special thanks and good wishes for Christmas; I know that goes for the people of the Falkland Islands as well.

    On behalf of the Government, my own family and everyone else in Britain may I send you my very warmest greetings for a Happy Christmas and wish you the very best of good fortune in the New Year.

  • Mr Major’s Statement at Redoubt – 22 December 1992

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s statement at Redoubt on Tuesday 22nd December 1992.

    QUESTION:

    Can we have your first impressions, Prime Minister?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think the first impression is the impression you get as you drive up from Split, what used to be a tiny mud road is now becoming a perfectly usable road to deliver humanitarian supplies, that has happened because of our engineers and I think we can be very proud of them.

    QUESTION:

    How concerned are you about the risks as your troops do more and more to try and stop this war?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I am concerned and that is one of the reasons I am here, I wanted to be here to assess the risk for myself, talk to the Commanders in the field, examine what is happening, see the terrain so that I am in a far better position to make judgments than before. So yes of course I am concerned about the risk but the prime concern that I must have is to ensure the safety and security of our troops here.

    QUESTION:

    Are those risks increased by the enforcement of a No Fly Zone?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We will have to make sure when the No Fly Zone is enforced, I think there is going to be a No Fly Zone resolution, the nature of it is clearly important, that is still under discussion, and as that happens we will need to ensure the security of our troops here, that is paramount.

    QUESTION:

    Do you feel that the imposition of that No Fly Zone will make us combatants rather than be able to continue the humanitarian work here?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, we are here to help with the humanitarian work, I think there are wider reasons for the No Fly Zone that we have discussed before and will discuss again. I think increasingly it is becoming evident that it is necessary. What is happening across Bosnia is not acceptable, we have seen it, you see it day to day on television, you read about it, we all know of the atrocities that are being committed and I think it has to be made clear that those are not acceptable. There is a Security Council resolution applying a No Fly Zone. I do not think we can allow that to be flouted hence there is a need to enforce it, but there is more than one way of enforcing it and these are the matters under discussion.

    QUESTION:

    You have talked about reinforcing them?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I am not going to discuss matters like that, I wanted to see what was happening on the ground itself.

    QUESTION:

    But it is an option?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Of course it is an option, all things are an option, I am determined to look at the security of our troops, that is the paramount concern.

    QUESTION:

    The paramount concern is surely to save lives here is it not?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We are saving lives with the humanitarian delivery, that of course is what our troops are here for, but we must also make absolutely sure that our troops carrying that out are firstly properly protected and secondly not put in unnecessary danger, they are doing a vitally important job and we must make sure that they are able to do it securely.

    QUESTION:

    But is there not a lack of clarity over whether we are here primarily to save lives?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, there is no lack of clarity about that, the mandate for the British troops here is a humanitarian mandate, that is what they are here for, they are to help assist in the delivery of humanitarian aid into a number of pockets where it is badly needed, that is their job here at the moment.

  • Mr Major’s Address to Troops at Redoubt – 22 December 1992

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s address to the troops at Redoubt on Tuesday 22nd December 1992.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I am afraid in the next few months it is going to get less easy, the weather so far has been better than it might have been, it will get worse, no doubt there will be other difficulties, I think we need to be prepared for that, you have been here for some time getting ready so that you are prepared for that.

    But I think we need to bear in mind a couple of things. Let me tell you, over the weekend I spent the weekend in the United States talking to President Bush and others, he particularly asked me to say to you how much admiration there is in the United States and elsewhere for the work that the British troops are doing here, I think people know that you are the backbone, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.

    I can only say to you, you may think out here pretty much that you are on your own when you are widening the road or when the Cheshires are operating up the road a little, but day after day people at home are seeing what you are doing, they are hearing about what you are doing, they are concerned about what you are doing and there are millions of people watching it with a very great degree of admiration. So if you do feel pretty cold, pretty chilly, pretty much on your own out there I would just like you to know there are a lot of people thinking of what you are doing.

    And the importance of what you are doing is very difficult to over-state. There would be an awful lot of people who would die this winter but for the work that you are able to do and will be doing through the winter, we would not have the roads widened, we would not have the humanitarian aid through, we would not have the medicines through without that, there are a lot of men, women and children who simply would not survive this winter and that is why you are here and I would just like to express my gratitude to you for that.

    It is Christmas, you are a long way from home, it is not a great time to be away from home but there will be a lot of other people who will see a few more Christmases because you have sacrificed this Christmas away from your families and out here and I would like to say Thank You to you for that.

    You probably know some of the diplomatic moves going on at the moment about the No Fly Zone. I suspect there is going to be a No Fly Zone resolution, we spent the weekend talking about the details of that in America, it will come I suspect before the United Nations in a few days time. Final details of that are still to be determined but I just want to say this to you, when we have that No Fly Zone be absolutely certain that the matter foremost in the minds of the government and others will be to ensure your security out here, that is not for one second going to be overlooked as we make further diplomatic moves. I would like you to know that and I would like your families back home in Germany, where many of them will be, or in the United Kingdom, to know that as well.

    So I think that is really all I have got to say, thanks for what you are doing, keep safe, have as good a Christmas as you can and I hope we can get you home as soon as we may. Thank you all very much indeed.