The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Tag: Salman Rushdie

  • Mr Major’s Statement on Salman Rushdie – 12 February 1994

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s statement on Salman Rushdie.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    It is now five years since the late Ayatollah Khomeini, Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, issued a death threat against Salman Rushdie and others associated with the publication of his book, “The Satanic Verses”.

    I met Salman Rushdie last May to demonstrate the Government’s full support for his fundamental rights. I have been heartened by the way in which many governments around the world have demonstrated their support both by meeting Mr Rushdie and in their discussions with the Iranian government. We all want to make clear to the Iranian government that they cannot enjoy full and friendly relations with the rest of the international community unless and until we can be satisfied that there is no further direct or indirect threat from the Iranian authorities to Mr Rushdie’s life, or to that of others associated with his book.

    I hope very much that they will listen to the message.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 18 May 1993

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 18th May 1993.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Chevening House

    Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list and describe the items belonging to Chevening house which were auctioned on 10 May with their reserve price and the amounts which were received for each item at the auction.

    The Prime Minister : The disposal of items of property from Chevening house is a matter for the trustees and not the Government. My right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal is the ex-officio chairman of the Chevening trustees and I will arrange for him to write to the hon. Member.

     

    Security Services

    Mr. Cryer : To ask the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to make the security services the subject of an annual debate in Parliament on the basis of an annual report; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : There will be an opportunity for Parliament to debate such matters when legislation on the secret intelligence service and the Government communications headquarters is brought forward.

     

    Salman Rushdie

    Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list (a) the place, time and date when he met Salman Rushdie and (b) the length of the meeting; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : I met Mr. Rushdie at the House of Commons on 11 May for about 40 minutes. Mr. Rushdie briefed me about the problems he faced and his approach to them. I underlined the Government’s full support for Mr. Rushdie’s fundamental rights as a British citizen and expressed concern that the Iranian authorities had failed to repudiate the incitement to his murder in the “fatwa” and the bounty which an Iranian organisation had offered. Mr. Rushdie expressed appreciation of the Government’s support for him. The United Kingdom has a deep respect for Islam. I believe that Iran’s behaviour towards Mr. Rushdie has done a disservice to that great religion.

     

    Engagements

    Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 18 May.

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

    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.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 18 February 1993

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 18th February 1993.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Engagements

    Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 18 February.

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

    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.

     

    Iraq

    Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on (a) the structure, (b) the number and civil service rank of personnel on the staff and (c) the timing of the inquiry under Lord Justice Scott.

    The Prime Minister : Lord Justice Scott is supported by a team of eight of which the civil service members comprise :

    1 Assistant Solicitor (Grade 5)

    1 Press Officer (Part Time) (Grade 6)

    1 Grade 7

    1 Executive Officer

    1 Administrative Officer

    1 Personal Secretary

    The timing and structure of the inquiry is a matter for Lord Justice Scott. He has made it clear that he wishes to report to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade as soon as possible.

     

    Salman Rushdie

    Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 12 February, by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Official Report, column 841-42, what plans he has to meet Mr. Salman Rushdie; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, met Mr. Rushdie on 4 February. He underlined our full support for Mr. Rushdie’s fundamental rights. The fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini and reaffirmed by senior figures in Iran is a serious violation of international law. The continuing failure of the Iranian authorities to repudiate this incitement to murder inevitably prevents the establishment of full and friendly relations with Iran.

     

    Terrorism

    Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister in what circumstances British citizens living in the United Kingdom are asked to contribute to the cost of police security when their lives are threatened by terrorists.

    The Prime Minister : It is for the chief officer of police to decide whether it is appropriate to provide police officers to protect individuals. The individuals concerned would not be asked to contribute to the cost of these officers.

     

    Housing Corporation

    Mr. Battle : To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had concerning the future of the Housing Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

    The Prime Minister : I regularly discuss with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment the delivery of the Government’s housing policy, in which the Housing Corporation continues to play an important part.

     

    Chemical Warfare

    Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty’s Government towards the export of materials and equipment which could be or is thought to be suitable for making chemical weapons; what monitoring takes place; what assessment is made of end-user certificates in such circumstances; and if he will lay before Parliament regulations for the export of such items.

    The Prime Minister [holding answer 12 February 1993] : The 54 chemical weapon precursor chemicals and the dual use chemical plant and equipment identified as of proliferation concern are specified in and controlled under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1992. In addition, other, unlisted items, though normally of no proliferation concern, do require a licence if the exporter knows or suspects that they are intended or likely to be used in connection with weapons of mass destruction. All export licence applications are carefully considered : information on destinations and end users is always taken into account. Compliance by exporters with these controls is monitored by the compliance unit of the Department of Trade and Industry.