The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Tag: 1991

  • PMQT Written Answers – 5 February 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 5th February 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    United States President

    Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister how many times he has spoken by telephone to the President of the United States of America since 1 January.

    The Prime Minister : I have spoken to President Bush a number of times since the beginning of January and shall continue to do so.

     

    The Gulf

    Mrs. Fyfe : To ask the Prime Minister whether, based on the manufacturer’s estimate of extent of damage beyond targets hit, he can provide a conservative estimate of civilian casualties to date in the Gulf war.

    The Prime Minister : The targets being attacked by coalition forces are sites which could pose a threat to allied forces or facilities supporting Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait. These attacks have been carefully planned, with the aim of keeping civilian casualties as low as possible.

    Mr. Latham : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress on the liberation of Kuwait.

    The Prime Minister : The allied air campaign continues to reduce Iraq’s military capability and its ability to support the occupation of Kuwait. The campaign is proceeding as planned and air supremacy has now been achieved. Coalition forces have successfully dealt with Iraqi incursions into Saudi Arabia, and have largely destroyed Iraq’s limited naval capability.

  • PMQT – 5 February 1991

    Below is the text of Prime Minister’s Question Time from 5th February 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER

     

    Engagements

    Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 February.

    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. Winnick : Is the Prime Minister aware that, as the recession bites even deeper in all parts of the country, not least in the west midlands, the country will simply not buy the nonsense that it is all due to the Gulf war? Is he aware, further, that people recognise that the recession and the devastation that are occurring in so many parts of the country are due to the disastrous policies of a discredited Government who simply do not know from day to day where they are going?

    The Prime Minister : I certainly accept that there is a downturn in the economy and I have made that clear. But the hon. Gentleman must recognise that that downturn, in terms of investment and growth, comes from a very high level after a very lengthy period of growth. It is absolutely essential that we take the appropriate decisions now to ensure that we have a lower rate of inflation in the economy in the 1990s.

    Mr. Hayes : Is not my right hon. Friend greatly encouraged by the fact that British investment outstrips that in Germany, France and Italy? Does not he think that British industry is getting rather fed up with the Labour party continually saying that there is no end to the recession in sight and no economic good news? Does he agree that it is becoming the party of the abominable no-men?

    The Prime Minister : As my hon. Friend knows, our investment record over recent years has been extremely good–a record unmatched elsewhere in the Community.

    Mr. Kinnock : Since it is clear that before too many weeks have passed the Government will be forced to cut interest rates, why do they not do it now and save British industries and British home buyers absolutely pointless pain?

    The Prime Minister : The right hon. Gentleman should not be so desperate. If he panics in opposition, what might he do in government?

    Mr. Kinnock : First, all observable panic is on the right hon. Gentleman’s side of the House. Secondly, he will soon have a very good opportunity of finding out the strength of Labour in government.

    It is all very well for the Prime Minister to try to avoid the question. It is not his business which he spent a lifetime building up that is now threatened ; it is not his factory that is facing closure ; and it is not his mortgage that threatens to put him and his family out of their home. Is he not ashamed that Britain, alone of all the major industrial countries, is facing, under his Government, prolonged slump–extended slump–because of his policies?

    The Prime Minister : The right hon. Gentleman has clearly overlooked the fact that– [Interruption.] –I shall come directly to the question. The right hon. Gentleman has clearly overlooked the fact that there is a recession in a number of countries. The right hon. Gentleman misunderstands the importance of interest rates. Nobody wants interest rates to be unduly high, but we need to ensure that we have a low inflation economy. That is the means to ensure that we have it.

    Mrs. Peacock : I am sure that my right hon. Friend is aware of the many Gulf support groups that have been set up throughout the country to offer help and support to those families who have loved ones fighting in the Gulf. Will he join me today in sending best wishes to the two groups in my constituency, in Batley and Cleckheaton, who are doing a superb job?

    The Prime Minister : I am certainly happy to do as my hon. Friend requests. I am delighted by the number of Gulf support groups that have been set up around the country and I wish them all well.

     

    Q2. Mr. Skinner : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 February.

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

    Mr. Skinner : Can the Prime Minister tell us how this war can have any moral or democratic purpose when British troops risk being slaughtered on the desert sands while the Kuwaiti royal family is gallivanting around the gambling dens and casinos, living it up? When the war is over and those Kuwaiti American stooges are back in power, with all their luxury, some British troops will be coming back to the dole queue, the poll tax and cardboard city. Is that the classless society that the Prime Minister talks about?

    The Prime Minister : I always thought that the hon. Gentleman was against the sort of actions that we have seen in Kuwait by the Iraqis. I am sorry that I am wrong.

     

    Q3. Dame Peggy Fenner : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 February.

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

    Dame Peggy Fenner : During my right hon. Friend’s busy day I am sure that he will share my concern about the current proposals for reform of the common agricultural policy. Does he agree with me that we should not accept any reform that penalises the efficient British farmer, since that will not help the British consumer?

    The Prime Minister : I agree with my hon. Friend. I share the view of the majority of hon. Members that further reform of the common agricultural policy is needed, but that must make European agriculture more, not less, open to market forces. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has been making clear in Brussels, we shall very strongly resist any proposals that penalise the efficient farmer and, in so doing, place the burden upon consumers.

    Mr. Ashdown : Does the Prime Minister recall the very welcome words of the Foreign Secretary at the weekend when he said that when the fighting is over we must be prepared to use the peace wisely? May I therefore put to him this proposition : if the United Nations provides the authority for fighting the war in the Gulf, the United Nations should have the responsibility for building the peace that follows it. Does the Prime Minister agree?

    The Prime Minister : We shall certainly be discussing, both within the United Nations and beyond–with the Arab states that have the primary interest–what is necessary for the future security of the region.

     

    Q4. Mr. Nicholls : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 February.

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

    Mr. Nicholls : Has my right hon. Friend noted that for the last four months inflation has been running at about 1.9 per cent. per annum? Does not that show that the Government’s policy of reducing inflation is working? Does not such a policy offer a far more certain way towards eventual interest rate reductions than the soft option advocated by the Leader of the Opposition by way of a devaluation?

    The Prime Minister : My hon. Friend is right. Soft options tend to lead to hard times. Our policies are succeeding in reducing inflation. As inflation comes down there will be the opportunity for sustained interest rate reductions.

    Ms. Ruddock : Does the Prime Minister agree with me

    Mr. Dickens : I saw the hon. Lady on television.

    Mr. Speaker : So did I.

    Ms. Ruddock : Does the Prime Minister agree with me that, in keeping with the spirit and purposes of the United Nations, consent to the allied military action is limited to ending Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait, that peace and security in the region can be achieved by other means, and that those means must include the removal of nuclear and chemical weapons throughout the region?

    The Prime Minister : The present aims are set out perfectly clearly in Security Council resolutions. As to the second point in the hon. Lady’s question, I think that it is a matter that everyone will wish to address after the conclusion of the conflict.

     

    Q5. Mr. Wilshire : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 February.

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

    Mr. Wilshire : Does my right hon. Friend agree that, whatever our party politics, we should all welcome the proposed abolition of the apartheid laws in South Africa? Does he agree also that, whatever we may think about that country’s past, the best way to support its Government now is to help them make those changes as quickly as possible and to begin the process of reintegrating South Africa into the community of nations?

    The Prime Minister : I agree with my hon. Friend that it is necessary to support the South African Government. But perhaps even more relevant is support for the people of South Africa–all of them. President de Klerk has made a truly massive move forward and it is now for the international community to respond. I hope very much that it will do so. I have already discussed the matter with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and with President Bush, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised it with European Community Foreign Ministers yesterday. I spoke about it this morning with Mr. Hawke, the Australian Prime Minister. He and I agree very strongly that the time has come to begin lifting the Commonwealth measures, especially the sports sanctions, particularly in the case of those sports that are integrated in South Africa. All in all, the announcement by President de Klerk was a most welcome move forward.

     

    Q6. Mr. Norman Hogg : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 February.

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

    Mr. Hogg : Is the Prime Minister aware that the naval base at Rosyth in Scotland employs 5,000 naval and civilian personnel? Is he aware that we have received ministerial assurances that, in the defence review, all the options will be considered impartially? Is he aware of a secret study report showing that there is an intention to close Rosyth in the shortest possible time? Does not he agree that it is disgraceful that at a time when our naval personnel are serving in the Gulf, their home base is being threatened in this way?

    The Prime Minister : No decision has been made to close Rosyth or any other naval base. We fully recognise the implications that closure would have for employment in the area. Those implications would be fully considered and examined before any such decision was taken.

    Mr. Haselhurst : Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that if President Bush raises the question of transatlantic air routes he–the Prime Minister–will sustain the Government’s position, as outlined by the Secretary of State for Transport, in a very strong and sensible defence of British civil aviation?

    The Prime Minister : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is discussing these matters. I can assure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend will defend our interests very robustly.

    Mr. Eadie : How does the Prime Minister justify the salary of £225,000 per annum being paid to the new chairman of British Coal? Previous chairmen had a large industry and a comparatively small salary, whereas the present chairman is inheriting a very small industry and will have a large salary. Some of us suspect that his terms of reference are to make the industry smaller still.

    The Prime Minister : The gentleman concerned is being paid according to his ability.

     

    Q7. Mr. Moate : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 February.

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

    Mr. Moate : Reverting to reform of the common agricultural policy, does my right hon. Friend agree that if, for social reasons, the Germans and French wish to subsidise their small farmers, they should be free to do so?

    As the British taxpayer will next year spend £4 billion on agricultural subsidies, apparently to produce inadequate incomes for farmers and excessively high prices for consumers, is not it time we considered repatriating agricultural policy so that we can decide what is best for Britain?

    The Prime Minister : The common agricultural policy is an established element of the European Community. I share my hon. Friend’s view that it is an unsatisfactory one, and for that reason we are seeking to reform it.

    Mr. Alan Williams : Is the Prime Minister aware that a measure of the underlying weakness of our economy is the fact that, excluding North sea oil, in the past three and a half years, at constant prices, we have had a trade deficit of £85 billion? Why does he believe that we can solve that problem with the same rate of exchange that caused it?

    The Prime Minister : The right hon. Gentleman is selective in his criticism. He wholly forgets that we had eight successive years of growth, a period in which our investment has grown faster than that of Germany, Italy, France and anyone else in the European Community and we now have a wholly different industrial position from that which we inherited in 1979.

     

    Q8. Mr. Irvine : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 February.

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

    Mr. Irvine : Is my right hon. Friend aware of the concern of many firms operating in the financial services sector about the European Commission’s draft directive on capital adequacy? Does he agree that some of the requirements imposed on capital adequacy are excessive, and will he make vigorous representations to ensure that, where appropriate, they are reduced?

    The Prime Minister : I am aware of the concerns that my hon. Friend raises. He will know that firms that act purely as advisers are exempt from the requirements of the capital adequacy directive. We do not wish to see inappropriate or unnecessary capital requirements imposed on any United Kingdom investment firm.

     

    Q9. Mr. Barron : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 February.

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

    Mr. Barron : Under the private Bill procedure, the Government have always accepted their neutrality to be one of support for a private Bill. Last Thursday night, the Southampton Rapid Transit Bill was defeated by the use of the payroll vote, including 10 members of the Cabinet, two of whom are members of the War Cabinet, which was suspended when that vote took place. What has changed the Government’s mind? Was it political judgment or political spite?

    The Prime Minister : The hon. Gentleman should know that that was the individual decision of Members of this House.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 4 February 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 4th February 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The Gulf (Financial Assistance)

    Mr. Marlow : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all EEC countries, setting out his estimate of (a) their expenditure in direct contributions to their own participation in the Gulf conflict by the end of January, (b) their contribution to the United Kingdom and (c) the value of their contribution to the United Kingdom as a percentage of the United Kingdom’s direct expenditure as described above.

    The Prime Minister : Our EC partners are showing, both by their military and economic contributions, that they share solidarity with us in pursuing the liberation of Kuwait. But I cannot quantify this in the way requested, particularly since the position is changing all the time.

  • Mr Major’s Comments on British Troops – 1 February 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on the British troops in the Gulf, made on Friday 1st February 1991.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked about the impressions he formed after meeting the British troops in the gulf].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think there were a number of things really. It was a remarkable visit and one that I am extremely glad I made. I suppose the two predominant impressions from the Gulf were firstly the sheer scale and logistics of the operation, that was very impressive indeed, when one found oneself in a helicopter above the desert for as far as you could see there was mile upon mile upon mile of tiny encampments full of activity and a tremendously long convoy on the high road heading towards Kuwait – that was a very impressive sight. And I suppose the other principal impression there was the sheer good humour and organisation of everyone who was there, it was very remarkable to see at a time of such tension.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked if he had expected a war in the Gulf]

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The possibility was always there, we worked very hard indeed to try and find a peaceful solution, that was always our preferred ending. It was clearly necessary to deal with the quite unjustified invasion of Kuwait, there was never any doubt about that, but we hoped very much that it could be solved diplomatically, we tried for that, we hoped for that. There was always the residual doubt that it would not happen so I was prepared for what happened but I regret it.

  • Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview in London – 1 February 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s doorstep interview held in London on Friday 1st February 1991.

    QUESTION:

    Could we ask you about the Gulf and South Africa, Sir? How welcoming do you think the events are in South Africa?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    It is very encouraging indeed. The steps that have been announced today are a huge step towards not just the dismantling but the absolute ending of apartheid. It has to be carried into legislation, of course, but I think everyone all around the world will want to welcome what has happened today – it is a gigantic step forward.

    QUESTION:

    Do you think that other countries, then, should move towards the ending of sanctions?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I hope they will look at that – I think they should now. I hope that will be the case in due course both in the United States and throughout the Commonwealth. A tremendous move forward has been made. Everybody wants to encourage the new South Africa and I hope in due time bring them back into the African community of nations and the world community of nations. The chance of doing that is clearly there now.

    QUESTION:

    Britain has made a particular stand on the question of South Africa and on the need to encourage South Africa to get developments. Do you think that Britain’s stand is paying off?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Apartheid is odious and apartheid is now under sentence of death – that is very good news. What, therefore, do we now want to see? Clearly, we will want to see investment in South Africa so that the new South Africa is a prosperous place that can cope with the internal problems that it has. Everyone, I think, will wish to see that and I hope governments around the world will reflect that view.

    QUESTION:

    Do you feel that there is more Britain should be doing?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We will certainly be discussing, when we have had a chance to examine this statement in more detail – we have only seen it thus far in our mind we need to be clear when it is going to be carried into legislation. But I think it is very likely that we will wish to discuss that with our colleagues in Europe and of course with our colleagues in the Commonwealth.

    QUESTION:

    Finally, on the Gulf, is there anything you can say about the renewed threats to British prisoners of war?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    They are deplorable, of course, but I think they illustrate something absolutely beyond a shadow of a doubt: Saddam Hussein started this war and Saddam Hussein is losing this war. That is becoming more apparent day after day after day in every aspect of the conflict. I think what he is now saying is a reflection of the fact that he knows he is losing the war.

    QUESTION:

    Is there anything more that you can do next week when you meet the President of the International Red Cross to try to put the case of Britain with regard to the treatment of the prisoners of war?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The Red Cross are being extremely helpful. The Red Cross are very well aware of the need to ensure that the Iraqis keep to the Geneva Convention and we continually make that point with them. I do not want to prejudge what I can determine with the President of the Red Cross. I am looking forward to that meeting; I am grateful for the help they are giving us; they will, I know, continue to press for the welfare of all servicemen, both British and others, who may at present be prisoners of the Iraqis but the Iraqis have responsibilities under the Geneva Convention; they have those responsibilities and we will expect them to meet them.

  • Mr Major’s Joint Doorstep Interview with Vice-President Quayle – 31 January 1991

    Below is Mr Major’s joint press statement with United States Vice-President Dan Quayle, held in London on Thursday 31st January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Thank you all very much for waiting. I am sorry we have kept you waiting so long. The Vice-President and I have been able to talk for a little over an hour, predominantly about the Gulf of course, but also about other matters,

    I think we are both pretty satisfied with the way things are going so far. A fortnight into the conflict, I think there is absolutely no doubt about the remarkable extent of cooperation between the United States. the British and indeed the other allies and we are all extremely pleased about that. And there was particular pleasure I think over here at the President’s State of the Union Address and his very generous words about the activities of the RAF and we were all very pleased to hear that.

    The Vice-President has had a successful day here I think and has visited Lakenheath and elsewhere and I might invite him to say something about his trip.

    MR QUAYLE:

    Thank you very much Mr Prime Minister. Let me once again just reaffirm the positive, strong cooperation that we have had between the United States and the United Kingdom. It was reaffirmed again today at Lakenheath where I visited with the spouses of a number of the troops from the United States and the United Kingdom that are deployed in the Persian Gulf.

    I enjoyed the conversation with the Prime Minister immensely, we value and respect his judgment and opinions on world affairs. We do have and continue the special relationship with the United Kingdom and I am delighted to be back once again to pay my respects to an outstanding and remarkable Prime Minister.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    QUESTION:

    Prime Minister, can you indicate for how long you can resist being provoked into a wider scale land war?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think we will have to see what happens out there. I think as you know in Khafji the Saudis are now examining the houses one by one, there is a house search going on to find out whether any Iraqis are there. There was an incursion, as you know, into Khafji by the Iraqis, it may well be that they will do the same thing again and that there will be other incursions of that sort, but we will deal with those as they arise. But the general strategy of the campaign has been pretty clear, it is pretty clear what we propose to do in future and we will stick to that.

    QUESTION:

    Vice-President, now that the difficult stage of the conflict has been entered with mounting ground casualties, how worried are you that American public opinion will stay behind supporting the war if casualties do mount, as they appear to be?

    MR QUAYLE:

    There is strong and overwhelming support for President George Bush and our policy in the Persian Gulf. The American people, perhaps contrary to international public opinion, have a great deal of patience. They support this President, they support the policy in the Persian Gulf, they support the allied effort to get Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. We are in no hurry to engage in a ground campaign. The air campaign is going quite well and you can judge by the results that we have been successful, we have a strategy that the Prime Minister understands and knows quite well and that strategy is now being deployed, and I might say that that strategy is working.

    QUESTION:

    Can I ask you both what lessons you have drawn from the Iraqi incursion into Khafji about the fighting spirit of their soldiers and what it would mean for a land campaign?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think the first thing to say is they have clearly lost at Khafji, have they not? There was an incursion there, the Saudi, Qatari and the American troops there have driven them out. The Iraqi losses have been quite heavy and they are no longer there. So whatever one may learn about the Iraqis, one has learned a little more and that is that the Iraqis will be beaten and that I think is the lesson we were sure was there for them and it has certainly been reinforced by what has happened at Khafji over the last 36 hours or so. And I suspect if there any more incursions the same lesson will be learned again.

    MR QUAYLE:

    I would just reaffirm the fact and that is that we have been successful. Perhaps Saddam Hussein would like to commence the ground war because he has been so unsuccessful in getting any of his air assets deployed, about the only place that they are deployed right now is in Iran. They are certainly unable to have any access to the airways, we have air supremacy, that is a fact and it is a very important military fact.

    QUESTION (JOHN DRAPER, ITN):

    Can you explain what would be the role of the B52s due to be deployed in Great Britain?

    MR QUAYLE:

    I am not going to get into the actual military operations, but we are very appreciative of the continued cooperation of the United Kingdom on this and everything else, but I am not going to get into its role and mission and things of that sort.

    QUESTION:

    Perhaps Mr Major might?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The B52s will be used as the Commanders wish them to be used and that is true of all the other aircraft in the conflict.

    QUESTION:

    Will they be armed with nuclear weapons?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No they are not going to be armed with nuclear weapons.

    QUESTION (CNN):

    Mr Vice President, earlier today you were quoted as saying either we will continue to have Saddam or we will achieve peace. Does that mean to achieve peace Mr Saddam has to be ousted?

    MR QUAYLE:

    Has to be ousted from Kuwait, absolutely, and he is going to be ousted from Kuwait.

    QUESTION:

    From power though, will he have to be ousted from power?

    MR QUAYLE:

    I did not say ousted from power I said that he will be ousted from Kuwait, and he will be ousted from Kuwait, that is the objective and we will achieve that objective.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 31 January 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 31st January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Engagements

    Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31 January.

    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.

     

    The Gulf

    Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the contribution made by EC members to the Gulf crisis in terms of cash and resources ; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : The majority of the European Community member states have already contributed to the multinational force in the Gulf, whether with military forces, logistical, medical, financial or other forms of assistance. We are seeking additional contributions to our costs from a number of countries, including EC members. The Community and its member states are also providing economic assistance to those countries most directly affected economically by the crisis, as well as providing substantial humanitarian assistance to alleviate the refugee problem in the region.

    Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Prime Minister what (a) governmental and (b) international activity, involving Her Majesty’s Government, took place before 28 January to prepare the specialist method of responding to any environmental crisis in the Gulf ; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : The Government have responded promptly and positively to requests from the Saudi Arabian Government for expert advice and assistance following the deliberate pollution of the Gulf by Saddam Hussein. We are also in touch with other states in the region. Since the risk of conflict arose, the Government have been fully conscious of a number of possible environmental risks arising from it and has maintained close contact with the allies on all matters connected with it. It is for the Gulf states affected, drawing on the expertise on offer from the United Kingdom and the international community, to lead the response to the environmental damage that Iraq is inflicting on the region.

     

    Gas Masks (Palestinians)

    Mr. Wray : To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has made to the Israeli Prime Minister concerning the provision of gas masks to the Palestinian population in the occupied territories.

    The Prime Minister : None. On 14 January the Israeli High Court ordered the army to distribute its stock of masks to Palestinians along the green line between Israel and the occupied territories immediately, and to obtain more for the remaining residents of the west bank and Gaza. The distribution has begun. We welcome this decision.

     

    Pay Review Bodies

    Mr. Madel : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the latest reports of the pay review bodies.

    The Prime Minister : The 1991 reports of the review bodies on the pay of the armed forces, the doctors and dentists, the professions allied to medicine, nursing staff, midwives and health visitors, and of the Top Salaries Review Body have been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office. The Government are grateful to the members of the review bodies for the time and care which they have put into the preparation of the reports. The table shows the increases recommended by the review bodies for each group, and their cost.

    The Government accept the recommendations of the review bodies and will be implementing them in full. All the proposed improvements in pay structures, designed to assist in recruiting, retaining and motivating staff, are accepted, indeed welcomed. But the overall cost of the pay packages proposed by the review bodies is high. The cost exceeds the provision available in Departments’ spending plans for next year at a time when public expenditure is under pressure as a result of events in the Gulf.

    Accordingly, given the size of the recommended increases as well as wider economic considerations, it will be necessary to stage payment of the review bodies’ awards, except to the armed forces. When many of our armed forces are on active service, we have concluded it would not be appropriate to ask them to wait for their full pay award. For all other groups the staging will involve an increase of at least 7.5 per cent. from 1 April with the balance paid from 1 December. In consequence the full awards for all groups will be in payment before the end of this year.

    The cost of implementing the recommendations on this basis will be met from within the public expenditure planning totals published in the autumn statement. The Government recognise that the cost of the health service awards could not be met in full from present health service provision without adversely affecting services to patients. The Government will therefore provide an extra £250 million from the reserve for next year, bringing the total increase in the resources available for the national health services between 1990-91 and 1991-92 to £3.4 billion. The full increase in costs for the armed forces over the provision previously made in the defence budget will also be met from the reserve : an allocation of £70 million will be made from the reserve for this purpose.

    The specific application of this approach to the respective groups will be as follows.

    The increases recommended by the review body on the armed forces will be paid in full from 1 April 1991. The increase in the x’ factor, which reflects the special demands of service life, will be larger for women than for men and will remove all pay distinctions between them.

    The Government have decided to accept the recommendations of the review body on doctors and dentists, but to stage their implementation so that 7.5 per cent. is paid in all cases from 1 April and the remainder of the increases, ranging from 2 per cent. to 5.2 per cent. for different categories, from 1 December. Increased expenses for general medical practitioners, which are a necessary part of the cost of running a practice, will be paid in full from 1 April.

    Similarly, for nursing staff, midwives and health visitors, the Government accept the recommendations of the review body, but their implementation will be staged so that all staff will receive at least 7.5 per cent. from 1 April and the remaining 2 per cent. from 1 December. Lower-paid nursing staff, for whom the review body has recommended higher increases, will receive all but 2 per cent. from 1 April with the balance paid from 1 December.

    The Government have also decided to accept the recommendations of the review body on professions allied to medicine, but to stage their implementation so that 7.5 per cent. is paid to all from 1 April and the remaining pay increases and other additional payments are paid from 1 December.

    Groups covered by the Top Salaries Review Body will receive 7.5 per cent. from 1 April, with the remainder from 1 December. However, two-star military officers, for whom higher increases were recommended, will receive all but 2 per cent. from 1 April with the balance paid from 1 December. The new system of performance-related pay for civil servants, which the Top Salaries Review Body recommended in their report last year, will be implemented from 1 April 1991.

    The pay rates and scales resulting from the decisions will be promulgated as soon as possible for the groups concerned. Pensions will follow the rates of salary in payment.

  • PMQT – 31 January 1991

    Below is the text of Prime Minister’s Question Time from 31st January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER

     

    Engagements

    Q1. Mr. Patchett : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31 January.

    The Prime Minister (Mr. John Major) : This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

    Mr. Patchett : Has the Prime Minister seen reports this morning that the Italian cargo vessel the Karin B is returning to Britain with a cargo of toxic waste? In view of the grave public anxiety on the matter, will he ensure that under no circumstances will the ship be allowed into any British port with its deadly cargo?

    The Prime Minister : I can certainly assure the hon. Gentleman that waste will be allowed into this country only if it is safe to treat it. We shall certainly apply that principle to the Karin B and its cargo.

    Sir Ian Lloyd : Does my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agree that in the nuclear weapons age the much pilloried phrase, “Careless talk costs lives” is a dramatic understatement? Does he further agree that the intolerable position in which Admiral Sir Tom Woodward was put in a public discussion on television early yesterday morning by the right hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Benn) was a serious threat, especially as the right hon. Gentleman asked that the relationship between the President of the United States and British use of nuclear weapons be brought out into the open? Does my right hon. Friend agree that that shows the importance of the existing convention which applies to the matter?

    The Prime Minister : It is an important convention. However, I did not see the interview and I should prefer not to comment too directly upon it.

    Mr. Benn : Is the Prime Minister aware that Admiral Woodward was a great deal more candid than Ministers have been about the use of nuclear weapons in the Gulf? Is he also aware that there is widespread anxiety in Britain about the extension of the war aims well beyond the United Nations objectives relating to Kuwait and about the possibility of an extension of the war? Will he welcome the initiative of the French Government in going to Tehran to see whether at this late stage some progress might be made by negotiation leading to a ceasefire?

    The Prime Minister : I repeat to the right hon. Gentleman that I did not see the interview with Admiral Woodward and I have no comment on it. On the war aims, I have made it clear consistently that our aims are those set out in the United Nations Security Council resolutions. That is and remains the position.

    Mr. Colvin : Will my right hon. Friend find time today to consider the somewhat fragile political climate in South Africa, following the welcome meeting of reconciliation between Chief Buthelezi and Mr. Nelson Mandela? What action can the Government take to encourage the nations of the world to take a more positive attitude towards South Africa to encourage that country faster and further down the road to reform which we all want to see it travel?

    The Prime Minister : I very much welcome the meeting between Chief Buthelezi and Mr. Mandela. It is an extremely welcome development. As my hon. Friend will know, the European Community nations lifted the investment sanction some time ago because of the progress that has been made. If, as I hope, further progress on dismantling apartheid is made soon, I hope that we shall see a further gesture from the European Community, the United States and the Commonwealth on lifting sanctions.

     

    Q2. Sir David Steel : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31 January.

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

    Sir David Steel : After the Gulf war, bearing in mind what was done after the Falklands war, will the Prime Minister consider setting up a high-level inquiry into the acquisition by Iraq of British arms and technology, including some from private companies, quangos and Government Departments, so that lessons may be learned, and so that never again will our forces be faced with an enemy armed partly by ourselves ?

    The Prime Minister : There is a considerable degree of sensitivity about the supply of arms and equipment. As the right hon. Gentleman will know, for some considerable time we have not supplied arms to Iraq for precisely that reason. We will take great care in future to ensure that we are careful about that matter.

    Sir Jim Spicer : Does my right hon. Friend agree that the record of loyalty and service to NATO of the republic of Turkey in the last 45 years, and also to the United Nations in Korea and to United Nations endeavours in the Gulf, is worthy of great praise and should be considered carefully by other NATO members and members of the European Community?

    The Prime Minister : Turkey certainly has a distinguished record in NATO, and I am happy to acknowledge that fact.

    Mr. Kinnock : Will the Prime Minister take the opportunity to confirm that any interest rate rise in Britain in response to today’s rise in German interest rates would be disastrous for industry?

    The Prime Minister : As the right hon. Gentleman knows, we will set interest rates and reduce interest rates when we think it is appropriate. As he knows, we have made our position on the subject perfectly clear. When it is appropriate and in the interests of the economy to reduce interest rates, and when we see that the reduction will be sustained, we will take action.

    Mr. Kinnock : The Government have been telling us for years that they have been curing inflation. Is not it the case that they have always made the mistake of combating inflation only with high interest rates, with the result that they have hit investment? How does the Prime Minister expect the country to become more competitive in advance of the completion of the single market if all the time he is wearing down investment, skills, training and the other things that are essential to enable Britain to compete?

    The Prime Minister : The right hon. Gentleman should know that as our inflation differential with the European Community narrows, we will be in a position to reduce interest rates. The right hon. Gentleman, who invariably advocates the cutting of interest rates, may recall that he also advocated a further cut in interest rates in 1987. Had we then followed his advice, we would have faced a far greater problem today.

    Mr. Kinnock : The Prime Minister will have great difficulty in saying to anyone that he could have greater difficulties than those caused by 1,000 redundancies a day, a reduction in output, a reduction in investment and the highest interest rates in the developed world.

    The Prime Minister : If the right hon. Gentleman is serious about Britain’s success in the 1990s, he needs to bear it in mind that we must get inflation down to the rate of our competitors. We are prepared to take action to do so. I regret that the right hon. Gentleman, as ever, wants the soft option.

     

    Q3. Mr. Cran : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31 January.

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

    Mr. Cran : Does my right hon. Friend agree that the contribution made by Germany yesterday to Britain’s war expenses is extremely welcome? Can he indicate to the House whether he expects contributions from any other source?

    The Prime Minister : I certainly agree with my hon. Friend that the further contribution of £275 million from Germany is very welcome. So also is the offer to provide some military material. I spoke to Chancellor Kohl this morning and was able to thank him for the generosity of the German people.

    Mrs. Heal : Following the visit yesterday by hon. Members, all of whom happened to be women, to the wives of the service men serving in the Gulf, will the Prime Minister take the opportunity to write a letter of support to the wives, many of whom feel isolated and lonely? Will he agree to do that? Will he also agree to a delegation of the wives coming to Westminster to explain to hon. Members their difficulties and feelings while they are supporting their husbands who are serving in the Gulf ?

    The Prime Minister : I certainly agree with the hon. Lady about the remarkable contribution made by the wives of our service men. I hope shortly to have the opportunity of visiting a number of the wives in Germany and I look forward to that. I would be happy to send the letter that the hon. Lady suggests.

     

    Q4. Mr. Bowis : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31 January.

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

    Mr. Bowis : Does my right hon. Friend agree that there can be few worse examples of the inhumanity of Saddam Hussein than his cruelty to the prisoners of war and their families in refusing the International Red Cross access to them? Will he do everything in his power to ensure that that access is achieved?

    The Prime Minister : I assure my hon. Friend that we are certainly doing that. The action by the Iraqis in refusing access is intolerable and unforgivable. We are in daily touch with the Red Cross in Geneva and are doing our best to support its efforts. I shall be meeting the president of the Red Cross early next week.

     

    Q5. Mr. Lewis : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31 January.

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

    Mr. Lewis : Does the Prime Minister share my view that it is obscene that the lives of coalition forces in the Gulf are threatened by arms and weapons probably made by their own families in their own country ? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an unequivocal assurance today that he will take Britain out of the international arms trade, which includes the training of personnel from other countries and providing technical know-how?

    The Prime Minister : The obscenity lies in Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, and the sooner that the hon. Gentleman recognises that the better.

     

    Q6. Mr. Day : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31 January.

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

    Mr. Day : Does my right hon. Friend agree that Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait was an act of naked aggression, but Israel’s occupation of the west bank and Gaza was brought about by decades of Arab intolerance of the state of Israel and that, because of those two different scenarios, there should be no linkage at any future date?

    The Prime Minister : It is clear that the situation is different because in 1967 it was Israel which was attacked. But we now have to look to the future and a solution to the Arab-Israel problem based on territory for peace. Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait has made that task much more difficult, but as I have said to the House on a number of occasions in recent weeks, we shall certainly be looking to see whether we can bring that peace forward as soon as the conflict is over.

    Mr. Molyneaux : Does the Prime Minister share my admiration for the prompt response of senior members of the Commonwealth to the invasion of Kuwait? Does he share my hope that those ties with the Commonwealth will endure long after various temporary entanglements have disappeared?

    The Prime Minister : I most certainly do, without qualification.

     

    Q7. Mr. Thorne : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31 January.

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

    Mr. Thorne : As justice delayed is justice denied, will my right hon. Friend, in his usual caring fashion, be kind enough to examine the efficiency of the courts and whether it is right that people, particularly from abroad, should be obliged to wait so long for their trial? I am thinking in particular of Mrs. Dina Le Tarle, the American wife of a surgeon, aged 29, who has been prosecuted for her actions while responding to muggers on the underground. She has now been waiting three months for her trial.

    Mr. Speaker : Order. If the case is sub judice, the hon. Gentleman should bear that in mind.

    The Prime Minister : I understand the general point that my hon. Friend makes. The Government are concerned to reduce to a minimum delay in all criminal cases.

    Mr. Michael J. Martin : The Prime Minister will know that many of the soldiers who are serving well in the Gulf are in the Army because they could not get jobs in civvy street and when the Gulf war is over there will be soldiers who, unfortunately, will be unfit for Army service. Can the right hon. Gentleman guarantee them jobs in Glasgow and the north of England?

    The Prime Minister : The early part of the hon. Gentleman’s remarks will be widely resented by many of our forces in the Gulf. I heard from him no talk of employment during the 40 successive months when unemployment was falling.

     

    Q8. Mr. Page : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31 January.

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

    Mr. Page : My right hon. Friend is hearing from those who wish to see extensions to the sanction period in respect of the Gulf calls to bring about a ceasefire. For the benefit of the House, will my right hon. Friend surmise why those people are trying to put our troops in extra danger by giving Saddam Hussein the breathing space to develop a nuclear weapon?

    The Prime Minister : I agree with my hon. Friend. He makes a valid point. We are not interested in a pause or a ceasefire, which would simply enable Iraq to regroup, resupply its forces and place our troops in greater peril. The conflict over Kuwait will be concluded only when all the provisions of Security Council resolution 678 have been met.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 30 January 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 30th January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Iraq (Sanctions)

    Mr. Nellist : To ask the Prime Minister, further to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East of 24 January, Official Report, column 455, if he will seek to obtain a copy of the report held by the United States State Department detailing the 500 companies in 50 countries who have allegedly broken the United Nations embargo on Iraq; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

    The Prime Minister : No. The United States State Department has assured us that no such publicly available reports have been prepared or published by it.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 29 January 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 29th January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Engagements

    Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 29 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.

    Gulf War

    Mr. Latham : To ask the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the current situation in the Gulf.

    The Prime Minister : The allied air campaign is proceeding satisfactorily and continues to erode Iraq’s military capability. The effectiveness of the campaign so far is amply demonstrated by the very few and unsuccessful deployments of the Iraqi air forces, but there is still some way to go before our aim of implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions can be achieved. We condemn Iraq’s use of missiles in indiscriminate attacks against civilian populations in Israel and Saudi Arabia. We also deplore Iraq’s wanton destruction of the environment of the middle east by deliberately pumping oil into the Gulf.

    Mr. Sillars : To ask the Prime Minister what co-ordination and consultation arrangements exist between allied Governments to ensure political control of the military forces engaged in the Gulf war.

    The Prime Minister : The aims of the coalition forces are those laid down by the United Nations Security Council. Military forces in the coalition remain under the ultimate control of their national governments who are maintaining close contact with each other.