The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Tag: 1991

  • PMQT Written Answers – 19 April 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 19th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Computers

    Mr. Cohen : To ask the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to ensure that no Government Department makes use of any pirated copies of Inslaw case-tracking Promis software.
    The Prime Minister : All Government Departments operate their information technology systems within the law. To reinforce this, Departments have issued internal notices warning of the consequences of using unlicensed software.

    Iraq

    Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty’s Government towards ensuring that the leaders of the regime in Iraq are tried for crimes against humanity; and if he will make a statement.
    The Prime Minister : Saddam Hussein bears personal responsibility under international law for his crimes and is responsible for those of his subordinates acting under his orders. In the case of both war crimes and genocide Saddam Hussein can, in law, be brought to trial before a national court or international tribunal. We and our EC partners have asked the United Nations Secretary-General to investigate how this might be achieved.

    Interception Commissioner

    Sir John Wheeler : To ask the Prime Minister when the Commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 will present his annual report; and if he will make a statement.
    The Prime Minister : A copy of Lord Justice Lloyd’s fifth annual report for 1990 has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 8(7) of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The confidential appendix to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 8(8) of the 1985 Act. I am grateful to the Commissioner for his work in reviewing the issue of warrants and note that he remains satisfied that the Secretaries of State continue to exercise scrupulous care in the issue of warrants. Careful consideration is being given to both parts of the Commissioner’s report.

  • PMQT – 18 April 1991

    Below is the text of Prime Minister’s Question Time from 18th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER

     

    Engagements

    Q1. Mr. Leighton : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 18 April.

    The Prime Minister (Mr. John Major) : 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.

    Mr. Leighton : Has the Prime Minister noticed the growing chorus of concern and complaint, from organisations like the London Chamber of Commerce and the London tourist board, about the shabby state of London, the increasing congestion and the deteriorating quality of life? Why is it that London, alone among the great cities of the country and among the capital cities of the western world, has no democratic authority to give strategic guidance or leadership to the city? For example, should we bid for the Olympics? There is no forum in which to discuss the matter. Does the Prime Minister agree that it is time for new thinking? Surely the Prime Minister, who has had a number of addresses in London, should put his mind to this question.

    The Prime Minister : If parts of London are scruffy, as the hon. Gentleman suggests, it is because they have Labour local authorities.

    Sir Peter Hordern : Is not this a very sad day for the Leader of the Opposition–

    Mr. Speaker : Order. I remind the hon. Gentleman that he is putting a question to the Prime Minister.

    Sir Peter Hordern : Is not it the case that the rate of inflation is falling fast, that mortgages are being reduced as of today, that sterling stands firm in the exchange rate mechanism and that the largest rescue operation in modern times–the one to assist the Kurds–is now going strong? Are not these things due entirely to the initiative and leadership of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister? Does not the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Kinnock) face another five years of hard and fruitless labour?

    Mr. Speaker : Order. Will the Prime Minister answer only the hon. Member’s first question?

    The Prime Minister : I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his remarks. I think that he underestimates the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The right hon. Gentleman has lost practically a record number of elections and will in due course lose another.

    Mr. Kinnock : On the question of records, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he agrees that today’s record rise in unemployment is a personal tragedy for those people who have lost their jobs and a personal failure for him? Does he agree that anyone who has been the cause of so many other people losing their jobs should lose his?

    The Prime Minister : I certainly share with the right hon. Gentleman very considerable concern about the people who have lost their jobs ; we all share that concern. However, although the right hon. Gentleman is against unemployment in principle, he supports in practice policies that would create it–not least, as a Welsh Member, failing to be here earlier this week to vote for the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill, which would provide 25,000 jobs.

    Mr. Kinnock : The reason why I was not in the House on that occasion was that Her Majesty did me the enormous honour of inviting me and my wife to spend the night with the royal family at Windsor Castle. I thought that the Prime Minister’s many advisers might have drawn his attention to the Court Circular.

    I heard what the Prime Minister said in his efforts to rebut the charges relating to unemployment. Since he became Prime Minister, 330,000 more people have lost their jobs, all as a direct result of his economic policies. Is not it obvious that he is truly the Prime Minister of unemployment?

    The Prime Minister : I trust that the right hon. Gentleman will now confirm to the House that he will support the Government Bill on Cardiff Bay which will provide 25,000 jobs. While he is about it, perhaps he will explain why he wants to introduce a minimum wage, which would cost 1 million jobs in this country.

    Sir Peter Blaker : Is not it significant that the first group that my right hon. Friend was able to persuade of the merits of his bold initiative for safe havens in Iraq was the Heads of Government of the European Community? Did not that strengthen his hand a great deal in persuading President Bush, who was initially reluctant to agree to that initiative? Does not that show the potential and importance of European political co-operation?

    The Prime Minister : We have worked very closely throughout this matter with the European Community, the United Nations and the President of the United States. I believe that that coalition of forces has now provided the right answer to deal with the immense tragedy that we are currently seeing in Iraq.

     

    Q2. Mr. Norman Hogg : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 18 April.

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

    Mr. Hogg : Is the Prime Minister proud of today’s unemployment figures? Do they represent what he calls the bottoming out of the economy or the bottom falling out of the economy? Which is it? Does he have any bold and heroic initiatives to help the growing army of unemployment?

    The Prime Minister : The policies that the hon. Gentleman and his party support would create a level of unemployment never previously seen in this country. The way to ensure secure employment is to bring inflation down and keep it down, and that battle we are winning.

    Mr. Bill Walker : Is my right hon. Friend aware that the people of Scotland realise that there are more people in work today in Scotland than at any time and that they are earning much more money, their take-home pay in real terms being 30 per cent. above what it was in 1979? There is no point in hon. Members shaking their heads ; these are facts.

    Is my right hon. Friend further aware that the British people respect the leadership that he has provided during the Gulf war and in proposing policies which have resulted in troops being assembled to provide safe havens for the Kurds?

    The Prime Minister : The people of Scotland also know that across the United Kingdom there are substantially more jobs now than there were in 1979, that the rate of unemployment in this country is below the European average and that in the past year we have had more jobs than we have had for many years– [Interruption.] –and far more than we ever had under the last Labour Government.

     

    Q3. Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 18 April 1991.

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

    Mr. Jones : Will the Prime Minister find time today to consider the problems of the upland hill farmers in my constituency and elsewhere who, on top of crippling interest rates and pitifully low livestock prices, are now having to face paying for the disposal of the carcasses of their dead animals? What does he intend to do for family farms to keep employment in the countryside in my area and elsewhere?

    The Prime Minister : As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, some time ago my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced substantial increases in hill livestock compensatory allowances. They were well received by the agricultural community and should specifically help farmers similar to those in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency.

    Mr. Michael Brown : Does my right hon. Friend agree that it was this Government who gave the opportunity to trade unionists to vote in secret ballots, this Government who gave the opportunity to council house tenants to buy their homes, this Government who gave people the opportunity to opt out of local education authority control and this Government who gave people the chance of better opportunities generally?

    The Prime Minister : My hon. Friend is entirely right. The only opportunities that people will get from the Opposition is the opportunity yet again to do what their trade union leaders tell them to do, what their council leaders tell them to do and what any future Labour Government might tell them to do.

     

    Q4. Mr. Grocott : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 18 April 1991.

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

    Mr. Grocott : Will the Prime Minister take this opportunity finally to dispel allegations of dithering by announcing decisively what the country wants to hear, which is that there will be a June general election? If, as I suspect, he is still not clear in his own mind on that subject, will he be issuing a consultation document?

    The Prime Minister : I can tell the hon. Gentleman crisply that when we hold the election we shall win it.

     

    Nuclear Test Veterans

    Q5. Mr. Higgins : To ask the Prime Minister, further to his answer to the right hon. Member for Worthing on 4 December 1990, Official Report, column 170, when he intends to complete his consideration of the case for compensation for British nuclear tests veterans and their widows ; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : An independent study is currently being conducted. The Government’s position is that they are ready to pay compensation if there is firm evidence that participation in the United Kingdom’s nuclear test programme caused the cancer.

    Mr. Higgins : The Prime Minister will recall that in answer to a previous question he gave a sympathetic and urgent reply in response to the plight of haemophiliacs. This case is clearly more complex, although in many respects it is even more deserving. Hon. Members who, at their surgeries and interview evenings, see constituents suffering from appalling cancers who were given no protection from the atomic tests in the south Pacific, believe that action is long overdue and that compensation should be paid urgently. Will my right hon. Friend proceed with his inquiry with the greatest possible speed?

    The Prime Minister : I assure my right hon. Friend that we shall proceed in that fashion and try to ensure minimum delay. The practical problem is the limited number of appropriate medical experts. Nevertheless, I shall do what I can to ensure that the report is produced as speedily as possible.

    Mr. Orme : If the Cabinet agreed this morning on the poll tax provision–

    Mr. Speaker : Order. I am afraid that this is a definitive question.

    Mr. Orme : But, Mr. Speaker–

    Mr. Speaker : I do not think that it would be right to have a second bite at it. The question before the House is about nuclear tests. Perhaps we had better move on.

     

    Engagements

    Q6. Mr. Maclennan : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 18 April.

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

    Mr. Maclennan : Can the Prime Minister explain, in the light of the discussion that he had this morning, how any local tax which combined the poll tax and the rates could possibly be related to ability to pay?

    The Prime Minister : The hon. Gentleman may be interested to know that we propose to publish early next week, with exemplifications, the way in which we think that we should proceed in terms of local government taxation. He will find no difficulty in seeing the answer to his question then.

    Mr. Gerald Howarth : Does my right hon. Friend agree that with the Soviet Union still in turmoil it would be folly for the United Kingdom unilaterally to dispose of its independent nuclear deterrent so long as other potential aggressors possess theirs? Does he agree that those who in the past have been passionate supporters of unilateral nuclear disarmament should not be trusted by the British people with the defence of our country?

    The Prime Minister : I agree entirely. The maintenance of an independent nuclear deterrent is absolutely vital to the future security of our country. I am surprised that some others are less consistent in their principles on this point.

  • Mr Major’s Speech at King’s College Hospital – 18 April 1991

    Below are extracts from Mr Major’s speech at King’s College Hospital in London on 18th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Introduction

    Thank Sir Ronald Grierson for hosting reception. King’s College Hospital one of the centres of excellence. Very aptly named, for it has built up a positively regal reputation for high standards of care, medical teaching and research.

    But King’s recognise they cannot stand still. Trustees have seen the need to develop the standards of excellence, to take King’s into the 21st century.

    Partnership

    The project is a wonderful example of partnership:

    – between hospital, local communities, the primary care services;
    – between the four main bodies of King’s – the administration, the teaching and research bodies, the trustees;
    – between purchasers and providers of health care;
    – and last but not at all least, between public money and private finance, between the Government and NHS and many, many private donors.

    Glad that this partnership is paying off. Phase 1 already well underway.

    Government’s Contribution

    The Government has committed £16.4 million to phase 1 of the development. A substantial commitment of public funding. Shows our conviction of the outstanding worth of this project.

    But however many millions Government spends, there is always a role for private giving and thank God for that.

    In time available, impossible to name the host of people helping to speed King’s towards the year 2000. But I know that Lord Wolfson, Garfield Weston, and Paul Girolami have made contributions which are outstanding even by the supreme standards of generosity which every donor to the appeal has displayed.

    Role of the Voluntary Sector

    Always been a strong, warm tradition of charitable open-handedness in Britain.

    Obviously good in itself. A vital part of an open and healthy society. Would be sad if had a society where Government crowded out voluntary effort. Right that Government funds should not be the only source of funds.

    This means it is not just the Government’s priorities which always hold sway. Other priorities too can be accommodated.

    Framework for Charitable Giving

    The Government has done a lot to encourage charitable giving over the last decade

    – gift aid: the Budget abolished the upper limit of £5 million for gift aid;
    – tax reliefs to charities and on charitable giving: now worth at least £800 million a year;
    – payroll giving on the up.

    Increasingly generous framework within which charities can operate. Hope they will take advantage of it to the full.

    NHS Reforms

    Freeing up the institutions of the country to make their own choices. Vital part in improving public service. There are no second class citizens – there should be no second class services.

    King’s have expressed interest in second wave trust status. Planning on this continues. The managerial freedom of trusts would allow providers to respond more quickly to the needs of their customers. A successful application would, I am sure, greatly enhance the appeal.

    Conclusion

    Science, and medical science no exception, developed at exponential rate. The 2000 project would enable King’s both to respond to that increase, and to stimulate it, for the benefit of all its patients. It adds up to an exciting provision of health care for the 21st century.
    Best wishes for its success.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 18 April 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 18th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Overseas Aid

    Mr. Peter Bottomley : To ask the Prime Minister when the United Kingdom first agreed to give official overseas aid equivalent to 0.7 per cent. of annual income; and if he will list the amount in real terms and the percentage for each year since then.

    The Prime Minister : The United Nations target for official development assistance to developing countries of 0.7 per cent. of GNP was accepted in principle by the British Government in 1974, although no date was set for meeting it. The United Kingdom has provided net official development assistance since then as follows:

    Year |Net official |Official

    |development |development

    |assistance |assistance as

    |£ million |percentage of GNP

    |(1989 prices)

    ————————————————————————

    1974 |1,348 |0.36

    1975 |1,395 |0.38

    1976 |1,469 |0.39

    1977 |1,679 |0.44

    1978 |1,803 |0.45

    1979 |2,100 |0.51

    1980 |1,378 |0.34

    1981 |1,678 |0.42

    1982 |1,483 |0.37

    1983 |1,457 |0.35

    1984 |1,402 |0.33

    1985 |1,479 |0.33

    1986 |1,430 |0.31

    1987 |1,331 |0.28

    1988 |1,591 |0.32

    1989 |1,578 |0.31

     

    Engagements

    Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday April 18.

    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.

     

    East Timor

    Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Prime Minister, further to his answer of 18 March, Official Report, columns 3-4, on what considerations the Government based their decision not to recognise East Timor’s right to self-determination.

    The Prime Minister : The United Kingdom supported United Nations Security Council resolution 389 of 22 April 1976 which confirmed the right of the people of East Timor to self-determination. Since 1982 the United Kingdom, in company with most other member states of the European Community, has supported the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to promote discussions between Indonesia and Portugal with a view to reaching a solution acceptable to all parties.

    Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Prime Minister, further to his answer of 18 March, Official Report, columns 3-4, what guarantees he has received or what monitoring has been undertaken to ensure that Tornados sold to Indonesia have not and will not be used against the civil population of East Timor.

    The Prime Minister : There has been no sale of Tornado to Indonesia.

    Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Prime Minister what the Government are doing to promote United Nations resolution 35/27 of 1980 on East Timor’s right to independence.

    The Prime Minister : The United Kingdom abstained on United Nations resolution 35/27 of 1980. We took the view that by so doing, in company with most European Community partners and others, we could help to promote reconciliation and the search for a diplomatic solution by Indonesia and Portugal. Since 1982, the United Kingdom has supported the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to find a solution to the problem which is acceptable to all parties.

     

    Indonesia

    Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Prime Minister, further to his answer of 18 March, Official Report, columns 3-4, on what consideration the Government based their decision to recognise the right of Indonesia to self-determination.

    The Prime Minister : My earlier reply referred to the right of self- defence under international law. All states have the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 17 April 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 17th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Correspondence

    Mr. McNamara : To ask the Prime Minister when he will be replying to the letter of 19 March from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North on the subject of the campaign for non-payment of the poll tax by a prospective parliamentary candidate.
    The Prime Minister : A reply to the hon. Member has been sent today.

  • Mr Major’s Doorstep Statement on Iraq – 17 April 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s doorstep interview outside 10 Downing Street at 7.30am on 17th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The proposal to establish some safe havens in Northern Iraq is now taking shape. When we proposed it some eight or nine days ago we began intensive discussions with a large number of countries, with the United States, with France, of course with the United Nations and Peres de Cuelliar and with a number of other nations as well. I am delighted that this proposal is now proceeding and you will know from statements previously made that we intend to establish a number of camps in Northern Iraq. They will be quite large and we will establish them speedily. Earlier this morning a group of top officials flew to the US European Command at Stuttgart where detailed planning for the operation will continue and proceed. We will have further details later today and I anticipate that the Foreign Secretary will make a statement to the House this afternoon. I can take a couple of questions before I have to leave for the North.

    JOHN HARRISON:

    What will be the orders given to troops should they consider it necessary to engage with Iraqi troops to protect the refugees?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    These are the matters that are under discussion at Stuttgart at the moment and we will make that clear at a later stage. We do not anticipate that there will be any difficulties. We think the Iraqis will respect what is going to happen. Nevertheless it is absolutely essential to get the Kurds down off the mountains and into safe havens speedily. There is no time to delay with that, it is urgent and it will proceed immediately.

    JOHN SERGEANT:

    It could take a long time to solve the problem of the Kurdish refugees, are you prepared to allow British troops to stay there as long as necessary?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We do not have a long time to leave the Kurds where they are at the moment, and for them to safely survive. We must proceed with action now without delay and that is what we are going to do. We will see what we can do about further implementation of returning them to their homes at a later stage but we can not await for a final decision on that before we take action. Action is needed, it is needed now and that is what is going to happen.

    ANOTHER REPORTER:

    How many troops are we talking about?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I would imagine from the United Kingdom it would be less than a Brigade, but that is part of the detailed planning and discussion that is going on this morning. But there will be a number of camps and we will need to make some strategic decisions upon which we need military advice and decisions as to how many troops there will be, but there will be British troops there, there will be French troops there, there will be American engineers there, there will be American air cover. But the precise size of that will be determined over the next few hours.

    ANOTHER REPORTER:

    Is this too little too late?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Well I think that criticism can be left to stand don’t you think? This is the most wide ranging proposal that anybody has produced. The criticism often comes from people who have made very little contribution to what has happened. I think action will speak far louder than words and will drown that criticism.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 16 April 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 16th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    HMS Endurance

    Q9. Mr. Shersby : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to continue the deployment of HMS Endurance in the south Atlantic including South Georgia and Antarctica; and if he will make a statement on the replacement of the present vessel by the mid-1990s
    The Prime Minister : Endurance will return from her current deployment in the south Atlantic in May, which is the end of the Antarctic summer. Studies into the best way of fulfilling the role currently undertaken by Endurance are continuing.

    Iraq

    Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister what requests Her Majesty’s Government have had for air cover from anti-Saddam forces in (a) northern Iraq and (b) southern Iraq.
    The Prime Minister : We have received a number of representations requesting the coalition forces in the Gulf to prevent the Iraqi air force from flying missions. Security Council resolution 688 demands that the Iraqi Government should end their repression of their own people. We are working urgently to create safe havens for Iraqi refugees. The United States has warned Iraqi aircraft not to fly north of the 36th parallel.
    Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the United States Government about a permanent (a) United States, (b) United States/British and (c) coalition presence in Iraq.
    The Prime Minister : We have no intention of establishing a permanent coalition presence in Iraq. Our recent contacts with the Americans have focused on the need for urgent humanitarian aid to Iraqi refugees both in the north and south of the country. We shall continue to maintain close contacts with the United States on the way ahead.
    Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Devon, North (Mr. Speller) of 14 March, Official Report, column 1095, what discussions he has had with the allies on the subject of the use of chemical weapons in Iraq.
    The Prime Minister [holding answer 15 April 1991] : The use of chemical weapons by Iraq is a matter of great concern and has been discussed on many occasions with our allies. We have no firm evidence that such weapons were used during or after the Gulf conflict. At our instigation United Nations Security Council resolution 687, which has been accepted by the Iraqi Government, sets out the United Nations terms for the destruction of Iraq’s chemical weapons capability and affirms that grave consequences would follow any use by Iraq of such weapons.

  • PMQT – 16 April 1991

    Below is the text of Prime Minister’s Question Time from 16th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER

     

    Engagements

    Q1. Sir Anthony Durant : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 16 April.

    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.

    Sir Anthony Durant : May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his four-point initiative to deal with the Kurds and Shi’ites, especially the safe haven proposals, which are important? Will he work hard with the agencies to improve aid to the Shi’ites and Kurds and push the United Nations to implement resolutions 678 and 688 so that the Kurds and Shi’ites can return in confidence to their towns and villages and thereby stop this appalling situation?

    The Prime Minister : I am grateful to my hon. Friend. Hundreds of tonnes of aid have already been delivered, of which 220 tonnes have come from the United Kingdom. In addition to the three C130s already there, nine Chinook helicopters operating from Turkey will be fully operational by the end of the week. The two special representatives of the secretary-general are in Iraq and by the end of the week 150 United Nations personnel will be in Iraq to oversee the relief effort. Urgent and intensive international discussions are continuing on a safe haven plan, which I and others believe is the only way forward. Indeed, I believe that it is rapidly gaining ground. Later today, I shall chair a further meeting of Ministers to take stock of aid needs.

    Mr. Kinnock : May I strongly support the Prime Minister in the efforts being made to get aid to the wretched people who are fleeing from Saddam Hussein’s forces? As the agonies of the Kurdish people continue, will the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether he shares my view that the atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein against the Kurdish people mean that the Iraqi dictator has a case to answer under articles 2 and 3 of the genocide convention of 1948? Will the Prime Minister refer the issue of genocide to the United Nations Security Council as a matter of urgency?

    The Prime Minister : I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his first words. I have asked for legal advice on the subject of genocide.

    Mr. Teddy Taylor : As the strict budgetary controls of agricultural spending were effectively blow sky high last Monday when the Council of Ministers voted by 10 to two to go through the ceiling, will my right hon. Friend say what on earth we can do, or is agriculture entirely out of control? In congratulating him on Britain’s being one of the two who voted against, may I ask whether he will tell the consumers and taxpayers of Britain whether we can take any action to hold on to the strict budgetary controls for which we fought so hard?

    The Prime Minister : I agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of keeping strict budgetary control on agriculture and on other items of the European Community budget. We have consistently stuck to that position and we shall continue to argue for it in the Agriculture Council and the other Councils of the Community.

    Mr. Ashdown : Notwithstanding the Prime Minister’s welcome but long- term plans for Kurdish sanctuary in Iraq, does not our present air superiority provide a means and United Nations resolution 688 provide the authority for action now to prevent continuing genocide against the Kurds in Iraq? Is not the only thing lacking for action the political will and international leadership? Why does he still seem reluctant to provide either?

    The Prime Minister : As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, the only comprehensive international plan before the international community is the one that I announced to the European Community on Monday this week. As I said to the House a few moments ago, urgent and intensive international discussions on the plan are continuing at this moment.

    Mr. Churchill : I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his safe haven policies. Will he build on them as soon as possible with our colleagues and partners in the Security Council to ensure that, under United Nations auspices, forces are sent to both the north and south of Iraq to establish at the earliest possible opportunity safe havens into which Saddam Hussein’s armies will not be permitted to go?

    The Prime Minister : I have made it clear to our colleagues in the United Nations and elsewhere that, if the relief effort is harassed or frustrated, in my judgment, under Security Council resolution 688, it is clearly the responsibility of the United Nations to protect both helpers and helped. If necessary, the United Nations would have to act on that responsibility and seek from its members whatever assistance, including military assistance, it might need.

     

    Q2. Mr. Wray : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 16 April.

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

    Mr. Wray : The Prime Minister will be in no doubt that the question on everybody’s lips is about the disgraceful “Panorama” programme which made allegations that the Prime Minister used an accommodation address in Templar street in Lambeth to gain access to the electoral register, a seat on Lambeth council and thus win a seat at Westminster. Will he give an assurance that that accusation is untrue and what action is he about to take?

    The Prime Minister : The qualification for standing for Lambeth council was to be resident within the area. “Panorama” was told on more than one occasion by the lady whose address they gave that I was living in the area, directly opposite her house, at the time and that that fully met the qualification requirements. I cannot explain to the hon. Gentleman why “Panorama” chose not to broadcast that fact.

     

    Q3. Mr. Bowis : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 16 April.

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

    Mr. Bowis : Does my right hon. Friend agree that the success of his policies in bringing down inflation, interest rates and mortgage rates shows that the better way for Britain is the Conservative way to opportunity and that it is getting better and better as the months go by? Does he agree that that is why there is such disappointment on the Opposition Benches and such desperate calls for an early election?

    The Prime Minister : My hon. Friend is right. It is precisely because we were prepared to take tough action on inflation that it is now coming down fast and, as I forecast, interest rates are following it down. The economy will continue to improve in the months ahead and we will continue to extend opportunities by spreading wealth, ownership and choice. No other party in the country can offer that to the British people.

     

    Q4. Mr. Pike : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 16 April.

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

    Mr. Pike : Is not the Prime Minister concerned about the many thousands of struggling pensioners who get a pension increase and immediately lose income support and other transitional arrangements? Is not it time that he ended the practice of giving with one hand and immediately taking back with the other and started to give all pensioners a fair deal?

    The Prime Minister : If that were the policy of the Opposition, any pretence that they might have had of public expenditure control would have gone.

    Mr. John Greenway : Does my right hon. Friend agree that the next decade will be the decade of opportunity for young people, but that one opportunity that the House and the country would rather they did not take is the opportunity to commit crime? Does he agree that in national Crime Prevention Week the one major objective that we should seek is for young people to be deterred from criminal activity?

    The Prime Minister : I certainly agree with my hon. Friend. He will have noticed in particular the initiative on truancy taken this week.

     

    Q5. Mr. Patchett : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 16 April.

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

    Mr. Patchett : Does the Prime Minister feel comfortable with his policies, given the criticism from within his party, both inside and outside the House, or is he merely a victim of an enemy within?

    The Prime Minister : The hon. Gentleman will find that there are millions and millions of people outside the House who support our policies and who will vote for them.

    Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop : Will my right hon. Friend make an important and clear statement today that the British Government’s policy in support of the safety and security of Iraqi Kurds in Iraq is not support for Kurdish insurrection against successive Governments of Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran to form a separate state and that activity of that kind gives a spurious strength to the present Government of Iraq to take military action of a genocidal kind against Iraqi Kurds in Iraq?

    The Prime Minister : I have made it clear in the House on previous occasions that our concern in Iraq is to ensure that the Kurds are well treated, safe and protected from repression. That remains our policy.

     

    Cyprus

    Q6. Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has held with the Government of Turkey concerning their occupation of part of Cyprus.

    The Prime Minister : I met the Turkish Prime Minister yesterday and the President of Cyprus last week. My discussion yesterday with the Turkish Prime Minister concentrated on the plight of the Kurds. I urged him to help the international efforts to get the Kurds down from the mountains into areas of Turkey and Iraq where they can receive food and medicine. The Turkish Prime Minister and I spoke briefly about Cyprus later in the day.

    Mr. Corbyn : Perhaps the Prime Minister can tell us what discussions he had with the Prime Minister of Turkey. He must be aware that the British Government are a guarantor of Cypriot independence and that the 1974 invasion of Cyprus by Turkey was condemned by the United Nations. Does not he think that the aim should be the withdrawal of foreign troops from Cyprus and the reunification of the island, with guarantees from all communities to end the terrible time suffered by so many people through the division of the island by military intervention?

    The Prime Minister : I made it entirely clear to the Turkish Prime Minister that we supported the efforts being made by the secretary-general and we hoped that he would make progress speedily towards a satisfactory solution.

    Mr. Anthony Coombs : Will the Prime Minister confirm that Cyprus, a democratic member of the Commonwealth, is the only European country at present forcibly occupied by a foreign power? Does he agree that positive action is necessary to persuade Turkey that it is in its interest and in the interest of the regional stability of the eastern Mediterranean that the reunification of Cyprus as a stable and democratic country is implemented as soon as possible?

    The Prime Minister : I agree with my hon. Friend and the Turkish Government are aware that that is our policy.

     

    Engagements

    Q7. Mr. Wareing : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 16 April.

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

    Mr. Wareing : Is the Prime Minister aware that the answer that he gave to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition this afternoon will have appalled the whole nation? If a Prime Minister, above anyone, has not yet taken legal advice about the genocide convention, when Kurds are being murdered and tortured every day, it is a disgrace. Indeed, it is a sin that this matter has been allowed to go as far as it has. Will the Prime Minister take action today to instruct our representatives at the United Nations to raise the matter of genocide so that action–even military action–is taken against the butcher of Baghdad?

    The Prime Minister : I note the hon. Gentleman’s remarks with care. It is wise to seek and await proper legal advice on such measures. If the matter is so self-evident, why did not the Leader of the Opposition raise it until yesterday and where has the shadow Foreign Secretary been for the past fortnight?

  • Mr Major’s Speech at the Inauguration of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – 15 April 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s speech at the Inauguration of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, made in London on Monday 15th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Madam Chairman, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Distinguished Colleagues. I am delighted as I look round this particular auditorium to see the tremendous interest there is in the establishment of the new European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

    I hope among this particular audience that I will be forgiven for saying that banks are not inevitably a cause for celebration, having myself worked in one for a period of nearly 20 years I believe I am in a better position to say that than many. But I believe here today we will agree that today is different because today we are celebrating the birth of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It is I believe a unique institution and a unique development and for that reason this is a special occasion, special because it symbolises a new beginning for the countries of Europe, special because it stands as a monument to European cooperation and special because it underlines the central role that Britain intends to play within Europe.

    It was at the Paris Economic Summit in July 1989 when President Mitterrand was host that the European Commission was given responsibility for coordinating Western aid to Eastern Europe. Four months later Paris was again the setting for a meeting of Community Heads of State and Government and it was then, once again with President Mitterrand playing a crucial role, that it was decided we should set up a bank dedicated to helping Eastern Europe. And now, only 18 months later, we celebrate the opening of that bank. That is I believe a remarkable achievement and I know that I speak for everyone present in paying tribute to all the people, and perhaps especially Jacques Attali, who played such a part in turning this idea into reality.

    It is of course a particular pleasure to me that London was chosen as the new European Bank’s home, I believe it is a natural fit. I may perhaps be prejudiced but I believe London is and is certainly determined to remain Europe’s greatest financial centre. With our bankers, our stockbrokers, our accountants, our lawyers, we believe we are uniquely well equipped to offer the expertise that Eastern Europe will need as it puts in place its own financial and industrial infrastructure. In Britain’s drive for privatisation, for example, London has built up a wealth of experience on which to draw. It has for a long time been the financial crossroads between East and West and I am delighted that it will now be where Eastern and Western Europe meet at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

    All of Europe is represented here today but of course the European Bank stands for something even bigger and broader. The United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan and South Korea, Israel, Australia and New Zealand, Egypt and Morocco have all been closely involved. So it is goodwill on a worldwide scale that the European Bank has brought together and turned into something practical and lasting.

    Last year the rest of the world watched in admiration as democracy swept through Eastern Europe in the first free elections there in 40 years. Even though many of us were on the sidelines, it was an exciting and a very moving time. But even in the euphoria, we all recognised that political reform alone would not be enough, it was true that without it there would be no economic reform but without economic reform there could be no lasting prosperity. No-one knows that better than the new governments of Eastern Europe, in a way that has increased our admiration for them day after day they have bravely turned their back on the failed nostrums of the command economy.

    We should not pretend for one moment that moving to a free market economy will be easy or painless, it certainly will not, but what we in the West can do is to help make that transition a little easier and a little less painful. The European Bank is unique in having an explicit political aim – to bolster democracy in Eastern Europe. Its membership must be closely involved in the conduct of the bank’s business, the bank needs a strong and an active Board to match the professional staff Jacques Attali is already gathering around him and Britain will certainly be maintaining a close and a very supportive interest.

    The European Bank will be focusing on the private sector, it will foster new businesses, it will encourage competition and promote better business practices, it will in short be helping those sectors in Eastern Europe which have been the backbone of success in Western Europe for the last 20 years.

    The private sector in the East is still small and still weak, it may find the bracing air of competition difficult to breath at first, it needs time to grow strong, it will require special care as well as resources. This the bank will provide, not for all time, but now in the early stages when special help is most needed.

    We in the West are doing what we can to help, in Britain for example through the Know-How Fund, we can train talent, we can lend money, but we cannot instill the will to reform, that has to come from the countries of Eastern Europe themselves. Ten years ago that would have sounded like a very tall order. Ten years ago most people did not believe that Eastern Europe would find the political will or the political leaders to attempt political reform. Today in this hail we can see that such pessimism was utterly misplaced.

    For over 40 years individual enterprise and initiatives were stifled in the countries of Eastern Europe. For those of you here today that is thankfully no longer the case. In helping to put that unleashed energy to work I believe the European Bank can play an important part. And I repeat, I am particularly delighted that this latest chapter of European cooperation is being opened here in London, it underlines our commitment to being at the very heart of developments in Europe. I believe that the European Bank will help us to bind Eastern and Western Europe more closely together and I have no doubt that it has a flourishing future ahead of it. As we all know here today, the new bank carries with it many hopes, many hopes because of what it represents and what it is. I am delighted today, on behalf of the United Kingdom, to wish it well.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 15 April 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 15th April 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Iraq

    Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister what representations Her Majesty’s Government have received from international doctors about disease in Iraq.

    The Prime Minister : We have received a number of reports about conditions in Iraq, notably that of United Nations Under Secretary-General Ahtisaari. We have announced a pledge of £20 million to be spent partly bilaterally and multilaterally to alleviate the human tragedy provoked by Saddam Hussein. We are also funding daily airlifts to the refugees at a cost of £1 million per week. These contributions are in addition to earlier substantial pledges to the International Committee of the Red Cross and United Nation agencies’ appeals.

     

    Chile

    Mr. Wray : To ask the Prime Minister if, during the official visit of the President of Chile, the Government will offer improved terms of trade for Chilean exports, and increased transfer of technology and financial support for his programmes.

    The Prime Minister : Chile will benefit from any market access concessions negotiated with the European Community during the GATT round. We increased our bilateral technical co-operation funds for Chile following the accession of President Aylwin’s Government and are presently discussing a number of projects.

    President Aylwin’s visit will lead to closer links between Britain and Chile. I was able to pay tribute to the President’s achievement in restoring and consolidating democracy.

     

    Nuclear Weapons

    Mr. Allen : To ask the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to use nuclear weapons first in response to a conventional attack.

    The Prime Minister : The 1990 NATO London declaration made clear that, while NATO will never in any circumstances be the first to use force, nuclear weapons will continue to fulfil an essential role in the overall strategy of the alliance to prevent war by ensuring that there are no circumstances in which nuclear retaliation in response to military action might be discounted.

     

    Migrant Workers

    Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty’s Government’s policy towards ratification of the new international convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and their families.

    The Prime Minister : The United Kingdom does not intend to ratify the convention on the protection of migrant workers and their families.

     

    Vehicle Theft

    Mr. Cohen : To ask the Prime Minister if he will set up a joint working party of the Home Office and Department of Transport to investigate the possibility of designing cars to be more resistant to theft.

    The Prime Minister : The Home Office and Department of Transport have investigated ways in which the security of cars could be improved and discussions are in progress between these Departments, and with the motor manufacturers, on how best their findings and recommendations may be implemented. Home Office crime prevention publicity, particularly during crime prevention week this week, aims to increase awareness of the need for effective car security measures. My right Friend the Home Secretary published today a car theft index which allows owners to see which models are particularly subject to theft.