The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Tag: Council of Europe

  • PMQT Written Answers – 17 December 1996

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 17th December 1996.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Libya (Sanctions)

    Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what action he is taking to enter into dialogue with Arab and African countries about sanctions against Libya;

    (2) what recent representations he has received from (a) France, (b) Arab states and (c) the USA on the reconsideration of UN sanctions against Libya.

    The Prime Minister: When the need arises, we remind other Governments, including Arab and African Governments, that sanctions against Libya must remain in place until Libya complies fully with the requirements of the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions. These requirements include the surrender of those accused of the Lockerbie bombing for trial in Scotland or the United States.

    The Arab League and some Arab Governments have pressed for sanctions to be lifted and a compromise reached on Lockerbie.

    The US and French Governments agree with us that sanctions against Libya must remain in place until Libya complies fully with the requirements of the UN Security Council’s resolutions.

     

    Engagements

    Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 17 December.

    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.

     

    Council of Europe and WEU

    Sir Michael Shersby: To ask the Prime Minister if he will announce the composition of the United Kingdom delegation for the 1997 ordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

    The Prime Minister: The 1997 ordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will be opened in Strasbourg on 27 January 1997. The delegation from the United Kingdom for the Session will consist of 19 members of the Conservative party, 15 members of the Labour party and two members from the minority parties.

    The appointments of representatives and substitutes have been made on the basis of nominations by the parties concerned in accordance with the resolution of the House on 22 May 1992, Official Report, column 682 and the House of Lords on 18 June 1992, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 290-92.

    The same delegation will be representing the United Kingdom Parliament at the Assembly of the Western European Union.

    Representatives from the Government benches will be:

    My hon. Friend, the Member for Reading, West, (Sir A. Durant) who will continue to act as leader of both delegations.

    My right hon. and hon. Friends the Members for Northavon (Sir J. Cope) for Warwick and Leamington (Sir D. Smith), for Calder Valley (Sir D. Thompson), for Ashford (Sir K. Speed), for Medway (Dame P. Fenner), for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) for Ravensbourne (Sir J. Hunt), for Bridlington (Mr. Townend), and Lord Newall.

    Representatives from the Labour party will be:

    The hon. Members for: Wentworth (Mr. Hardy), for Tooting (Mr. Cox), for Wansbeck (Mr. Thompson), for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks), for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond), for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Davis), and Lord Kirkhill.

    The representative from the minority parties will be the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber (Sir R. Johnston).

    The following substitutes have been appointed to act as necessary on behalf of the delegates from the Government benches: The hon. Members for Sheffield, Hallam (Sir I. Patnick), for Norfolk, North (Sir R. Howell), for Brighton, Kemptown (Sir W. Bowden), for Salisbury (Mr. Key), for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. Dicks), for Chipping Barnet (Sir S. Chapman), for Newark (Mr. Alaxander), Baroness Hooper and Earl of Dundee.

    From the Labour Party the hon. Members for Sunderland, North (Mr. Etherington), for Glasgow, Provan (Mr. Wray), for Newport, East (Mr. Hughes), for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe), for Leigh (Mr. Cunliffe), for Leicester, South (Mr. Marshall), for Manchester, Central (Mr. Litherland) and Baroness Gould of Potternewton.

    From the minority parties: Lord Mackie of Benshie.

    Sir Anthony Durant: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest information bulletin of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western European Union.

    The Prime Minister: I have done so today.

     

    Public Appointments

    Mr. Milburn: To ask the Prime Minister how many of the individuals appointed by his Department to public positions in the last year were first identified by the public appointments unit.

    The Prime Minister [holding answer 10 December 1996]: Eight of the individuals appointed by me in the last year were first identified by the public appointments unit.

     

    State Opening of Parliament

    Mr. Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to reduce the expenditure on the state opening of Parliament; and what is his latest calculation of the total cost of the last state opening.

    The Prime Minister [holding answer 6 December 1996]: Expenditure on the state opening of Parliament properly reflects the nature of the occasion. The deployment of police officers to maintain public order on the route of the procession is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

    On the cost of the last state opening, I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 11 November, Official Report, column 32, and to the answers given by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, 19 November, Official Report, column 504 and by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State, Home Office, 16 December, Official Report, column 450.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 20 June 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 20th June 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Bananas

    Mr. John P. Smith : To ask the Prime Minister;

    (1) if he has received any representations about the absence of a decision by the European Council of Ministers on trade arrangements for bananas after 1992; and if he will make a statement;

    (2) if he will seek an agreement with his European counterparts at the Luxembourg summit on trade arrangements for bananas after 1992 which guarantees the price and existing access of eastern Caribbean bananas;

    (3) what steps he intends to take to honour the commitment made in 1987 to guarantee the supply of eastern Caribbean bananas to the United Kingdom after 1992;

    (4) if he will raise the question of the European Commission’s delay in reaching decisions on the Banana protocol under the Lome convention at the forthcoming Luxembourg summit.

    The Prime Minister : The European Commission is considering arrangements to apply to bananas in the single European market post-1992. The Government will seek to ensure that new arrangements fulfil our commitments to Commonwealth Caribbean suppliers. We shall also take account of consumers interests, the need for budgetary restraint, trade policy considerations and the competition and efficiency objectives of the single market initiative. I have discussed the issue with the Prime Ministers of Dominica and Jamaica and am very alive to their economic needs.

    Officials are in touch with the Commission, who are aware of the need to make proposals as soon as possible. In the absence of these proposals it would be premature to raise the issue at the Luxembourg European Council.

     

    Council of Europe

    Mr. Ward : To ask the Prime Minister if he has made any changes to the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the 43rd session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

    The Prime Minister : I have appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) from the Government Benches to be a representative on the delegation to the 43rd session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in succession to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, South (Mr. Morris). I have also appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, West (Sir A. Durant) as a substitute delegate.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 27 March 1991

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 27th March 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Council of Europe

    Mr. Simon Coombs : To ask the Prime Minister if he will announce the composition of the United Kingdom delegation for the 43rd session of the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe.

    The Prime Minister : The 43rd session of the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe will be opened in Strasbourg on 22 April 1991. The delegation from the United Kingdom for the session will consist of 11 Members of the Conservative party, six Members of the Labour party and one Member of the Liberal Democrat party. I have also appointed a number of substitute delegates.

    The appointments of representatives and substitutes have been made on the basis of nominations by the leaders of those parties concerned.

    The same delegation will be representing the United Kingdom Parliament at the assembly of the Western European Union, which next meets in Paris on 3 June.

    Representatives from the Government Benches will be : My hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Sir G. Finsberg)–who will act as leader of both delegations.

    My hon. Friends the Members for :

    Warwick and Leamington (Sir D. Smith)

    Calder Valley (Mr. Thompson)

    Twickenham (Mr. Jessel)

    Northampton, South (Mr. Morris)

    Halesowen and Stourbridge (Sir J. Stokes)

    Poole (Mr. Ward)

    Ashford (Mr Speed)

    Streatham (Sir W. Shelton)

    Medway (Dame P. Fenner) and

    The Earl of Kinnoull

    Representatives from the Labour party will be :

    The hon. Members for :

    Newport, East (Mr. Hughes)

    Wallsend (Mr. Garrett)

    Wentworth (Mr. Hardy)

    Tooting (Mr Cox)

    Liverpool, Riverside (Mr Parry)

    Falkirk, East (Mr. Ewing)

    Representatives from the Liberal Democrats party will be :

    The hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber (Sir R. Johnston)

    The following substitutes have been appointed to act as necessary on behalf of the delegates.

    From the Government benches :

    My hon. Friends the Members for :

    Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson)

    Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe)

    Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell)

    Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe)

    Lewes (Mr. Rathbone)

    Brighton, Kempton (Mr. Bowden)

    Suffolk, Central (Mr. Lord)

    Ravensbourne (Sir J. Hunt)

    Lord Newall and Lord Rodney

    From the Labour party :

    The hon. Members for :

    Wansbeck (Mr. Thompson)

    Manchester, Central (Mr. Litherland)

    Don Valley (Mr. Redmond)

    Warley, East (Mr. Faulds)

    Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks)

    Cunninghame, South (Mr. Lambie)

    and Lord Kirkhill

    From the Liberal Democrats party :

    The Lord Mackie of Benshie

     

    Former Prime Ministers

    Sir Anthony Durant : To ask the Prime Minister whether he has any plans to assist former Prime Ministers with their office and secretarial expenses.

    The Prime Minister : I propose to establish, with effect from 1 April 1991, a financial allowance to help former Prime Ministers to meet the continuing additional office costs which they are liable to incur because of their special position in public life. The new allowance, which will be equivalent in amount to the parliamentary office costs allowance, will be payable in respect of office and secretarial expenses incurred in connection with their public duties. It will be paid from the Cabinet Office vote. The allowance will not be payable to a former Prime Minister occupying the position of Leader of the Opposition and therefore in receipt of “Short” money.