The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Tag: Terry Waite

  • PMQT – 19 November 1991

    Below is the text of Prime Minister’s Question Time from 19th November 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER

     

    Engagements

    Q1. Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 November.

    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.

    Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman : Has my right hon. Friend seen the excellent report of Lancaster health authority, a copy of which I sent him, showing the immense progress that it has made during the past year–all within its budget? Is he aware of the vast increase since 1979 in the number of hip operations–from 60 to 197–in knee operations–from 16 to 90 –and in cataracts of 216 to 685. Is he aware that when the hospital becomes a trust it will make even more rapid progress being run by local people for local people?

    The Prime Minister : I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing that excellent report to my attention. I think that patients can see that the reforms are working–there are better clinic hours, with evening and out-of-hours clinics, and improvements in service and the patients’ environment. Such improvements are taking place in Lancaster and elsewhere, and I have no doubt that they will continue to take place everywhere.

    Mr. Kinnock : Will the Prime Minister take this opportunity to join me in expressing joy at the release of Terry Waite and Tom Sutherland from their long and terrible captivity? May I also express–as I am sure he will –boundless admiration for the great courage and inner strength shown by the two men and all the other released hostages. Those qualities were brilliantly manifested yet again in the remarkable speech by Terry Waite at RAF Lyneham at lunchtime today. Will the Prime Minister join me in thanking everyone, including the service given by the British Government, who have worked and still work to secure the release of hostages? I particularly thank the United Nations Secretary-General and his envoy, Mr. Picco. Does the Prime Minister agree that the statement by Terry Waite’s captors that they now recognise that they did wrong and that what they did has served no useful purpose should be understood by all those who engage in the vile practice of taking hostages, anywhere?

    The Prime Minister : I agree unreservedly with the right hon. Gentleman’s comments and believe that they will be echoed throughout the country. This morning I spoke briefly to Terry Waite while he was on board the aircraft returning home and was able to express the delight that I and the whole country felt at his safe return and at Mr. Sutherland’s release. We owe a great deal to the United Nations Secretary-General and to Mr. Picco who have worked tirelessly with others to secure the release of the hostages. In welcoming the release of Mr. Waite and Mr. Sutherland, may I express the hope that none of us forget that there are still more hostages whom we wish to see speedily returned to their homes. The developments that we have seen vindicate the policy of not doing deals with hostage takers. I share the right hon. Gentleman’s view about the remarks by the hostage takers. Let us hope that the lesson has been learnt and that never again shall we see this vile practice recur.

     

    Q2. Mr. Colin Shepherd : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 November.

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

    Mr. Shepherd : During his busy day, will my right hon. Friend take time to look at the Harris poll in last Sunday’s issue of The Observer which clearly showed that two thirds of the people of this country, including 60 per cent. of Labour voters, support my right hon. Friend’s policy of reducing the standard rate of tax from 25p to 20p in the pound? Is it not clear that at the next general election the public will face a clear choice between lower personal taxes under a Conservative Government or swingeing increased taxes under Labour?

    The Prime Minister : My hon. Friend certainly puts the point crisply, and I entirely agree with him. Conservatives believe that people should be left with as much as possible of their own money to spend in their own interests, in the clear belief that they will spend it better in their interests than any Government will do for them. We leave it to the Opposition to advocate higher taxes. That is not our view.

    Mr. Watson : Is the Prime Minister aware that under the 1951 United Nations convention on refugees, to which this country is a signatory, all Governments are obliged to provide asylum to those fleeing from serious human rights violations? Given that the Asylum Bill will deny genuine asylum seekers entry to this country,–[Hon. Members :– “No”.] Yes it will, and the few who slip through the net will be denied legal aid to argue their case. Will the Prime Minister tell us how his Government will meet their obligations under the convention?

    The Prime Minister : The Bill introduced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will not deter genuine asylum seekers. It will prevent the misuse of asylum procedures while protecting the position of genuine refugees. It seeks to accelerate decision making, and it will find strong support in the House and in the country.

     

    Q3. Mr. Evennett : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 November.

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

    Mr. Evennett : Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that he will not agree to binding minimum rates of income tax in Europe, which have been advocated by the Socialist Confederation in Europe and are supported by the Labour party in this country?

    The Prime Minister : I can certainly give my hon. Friend that assurance. If the Labour party has signed European documents to that effect, I hope that it will have the courtesy to place them in the Library so that we may all see them. It is clearly Labour’s vision to have high tax rates, but it is the hope of the people of this country to have the lowest possible tax rates, and that is what we shall offer.

    Mr. Matthew Taylor : Does the Prime Minister agree that the draft proposals on economic and monetary union and on political union involve far-reaching constitutional change to our present arrangements? If he does, why does he reject the sovereignty of the British people in taking the final decision on the matter in a post-legislative referendum?

    The Prime Minister : Because we are a parliamentary democracy.

    Mr. Gregory : Will my right hon. Friend acknowledge the importance of the popular music industry and its contribution to overseas earnings? Would he echo the view of music lovers everywhere about the release of a certain rap record which shows the statesmanlike approach of the Leader of the Opposition?

    The Prime Minister : My hon. Friend’s suggestion is tempting, but I have not heard the record and I am not sure whether it ought to be released.

     

    Q4. Mr. Skinner : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 November.

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

    Mr. Skinner : Does the Prime Minister recall that, in 1962, when he packed up work to look after his parents, he received unemployment benefit under the terms of the legislation introduced by the Labour Government of 1945-50? Is he aware that anyone placed in that predicament today, and who decided to go on the dole so as to look after his sick parents, would not receive a single penny piece? Who is the person responsible for that change? It is none other than the Prime Minister who, as Minister for Social Security, introduced measures to prevent people from receiving benefit in those circumstances. Coming from a man who claims to be in favour of the classless society, is that not hypocrisy?

    The Prime Minister : The hon. Gentleman should, for once, get his facts straight and stick to them. I remind him that great improvements have been made not only in the amount of assistance that is available to people who are unemployed, but in the amount of assistance to ensure that people receive training so that they can get back into work. When the last Labour Government left office– [Interruption] –there were 6,000 training jobs. There are now 350,000.

    Several Hon. Members rose–

    Mr. Speaker : Order. Let us settle down.

    Mr. Gale : Does my right hon. Friend agree that, in sharp contrast to the open-door policy apparently espoused by the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Sparkbrook (Mr. Hattersley) and his party, the measures contained in the Asylum Bill will be fair and of great benefit to genuine asylum seekers?

    The Prime Minister : Yes, I am happy to confirm that. It is necessary to provide a proper asylum law to make sure that genuine refugees can be dealt with speedily and adequately. Without the Asylum Bill, that would no longer be the case.

     

    Q5. Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 November.

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

    Mr. Barnes : Why is it that £22.50 is spent on advertising and publicity for each expatriate voter who chooses to record his vote in this country, while only one tenth of a penny is spent in the United Kingdom encouraging people to vote? Is this one of the reasons why 1 million people are missing off the electoral register? What does the Prime Minister intend to do between now and a general election to put those 1 million people back on the register?

    The Prime Minister : Both at home and abroad, the intention is to ensure that the people who are entitled to vote are aware of that fact. The hon. Gentleman should ask himself why he is so keen to see people who are entitled to vote not able to do so.

     

    Q6. Mr. Jacques Arnold : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 November.

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

    Mr. Arnold : Has my right hon. Friend noted the vote of parents in Gravesham, in the case of one school by a margin of nine to one, to take control over the management of their schools through grant-maintained status? Has he also noted the Labour party’s policy proposal to reverse the decision of the parents and to claw back the education funds concerned to a centralised bureaucracy?

    The Prime Minister : There is nothing surprising in the Labour party’s policies on that. It dislikes choice and parents having authority and power. We are determined to give both choice and power back to parents and that is why more schools are becoming grant maintained. After the general election, an avalanche of schools will seek to become grant maintained.

     

    Q7. Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 November.

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

    Mr. Dunnachie : In what circumstances would the Prime Minister contemplate using nuclear weapons?

    The Prime Minister : The Government’s position has always been clear –nuclear weapons are there as a deterrent. The difference between our position and that of the Labour party is that people accept that we would be prepared to use nuclear weapons and know that Labour Members would not be, so they would not have a deterrent. That is why the Opposition’s defence policy is incredible.

     

    Q8. Sir Anthony Durant : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 November.

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

    Sir Anthony Durant : Does my right hon. Friend agree that the reduction of the inflation rate to 3.7 per cent. is extremely good news for business, for householders and for those on a fixed income, and will he continue the policy of reducing the inflation rate?

    The Prime Minister : I can certainly give my hon. Friend the assurance that that is our intention. The present inflation rate is, of course, precisely one half of the inflation rate when it was at its very lowest–just briefly–under the previous Labour Government.

    Rev. Martin Smyth : This nation has been a nation of volunteers. How can we encourage volunteering if we cut community volunteering and the numbers engaged in the territorial volunteer reserves?

    The Prime Minister : We are examining and consulting on the particular position of the Territorial Army. As for volunteering generally, the hon. Gentleman will know that there has been a vast increase in volunteering in the whole range of voluntary services in the last decade. That has been a continuing trend. I welcome that and we encourage it.

  • Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview (2) Relating to Terry Waite – 18 November 1991

    Below is Mr Major’s doorstep interview on Monday 18th November 1991 in London on the release of Terry Waite. This was the second doorstep interview of the day on the subject.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

    QUESTION:

    What new news do you have, Prime Minister?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I have heard in the last few moments that Mr. Waite is now in the hands of the Syrians and that the Syrians have invited the British Ambassador in Damascus to collect Mr. Waite from them at 8 o’clock our time this evening so it would seem he is well and will soon be back in our hands. All being well, I hope he will be able to fly to Akrotiri this evening and home shortly afterwards.

    QUESTION:

    What is your reaction to that?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I’m absolutely delighted. It has been a long wait, a lot of effort has gone into it. I’m immensely grateful to the Secretary-General for what he has done. We have a successful outcome. I couldn’t be more pleased.

  • Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview Relating to Terry Waite – 18 November 1991

    Below is Mr Major’s doorstep interview on Monday 18th November 1991 in London on the release of Terry Waite.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We have now had independent corroboration from two separate sources – the Secretary General’s spokesman and the Lebanese Army – that both Terry Waite and Thomas Sutherland have been released. We believe at the moment that they are travelling between Beirut and Damascus and that they are heading for the British Embassy in Damascus and we would very much hope they would arrive there soon.

    I must emphasise Mr Waite is not yet in British hands but we now have every reason genuinely to believe that he is free and that he will soon be with us. And if that proves to be the case, this is very good news indeed and we are absolutely delighted about it.

    We have waited 5 years for this, it must have been a long and agonising period both for Terry Waite and for all those who know him, his family and his friends. I hope very soon we will see the end of that and if the reports are correct he should be with us this evening and I very much hope on his way home here tomorrow.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

    QUESTION:

    Is he in good health, Prime Minister?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We do not know yet, he is not in our hands yet. The corroboration about his release seems to be substantiated. As soon as he arrives at the British Embassy in Damascus we will have a full medical report, but he is not there yet.

    QUESTION:

    Is there anything the government could have done to speed things along, it seems such a long wait?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    It has been a very long wait. We have been working very hard for a long period to get all the hostages released, all the British hostages released, and the other hostages released too. We ought not to forget this evening there are other hostages still to be released. We have been working energetically for months, many months, behind the scenes in order to secure this release and I am immensely grateful to the Secretary General and his staff for the work that they have done.

    QUESTION:

    Why do you think it has happened now?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think there are a vast variety of reasons why it has happened now, I do not want to speculate on all of them, I think it would take a long time. Suffice to say I am delighted it has happened and I hope we will have the rest of the hostages out soon as well.

    QUESTION:

    [Inaudible.]

    PRIME MINISTER:

    There have been no back stage deals done if that is the question you are asking, I am just very pleased the hostages are out and that the atmosphere has changed. That is what we have wanted to see, we have worked for it for a long time, as my predecessor did, it has now happened, most of the hostages are home with their families, I hope all of them soon will be and tomorrow perhaps we will see Mr Waite back here.

    QUESTION:

    Inaudible.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Matters are changing with many of the Middle Eastern states, there are many things to consider. I think that is all I have to say for the moment until we have Mr Waite in our hands.

  • Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview in London – 24 September 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s doorstep interview in London, held on Tuesday 24th September 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I am very pleased indeed to be able to confirm that the British hostage, Jackie Mann, has been released and is now on his way to Damascus. I expect that he will be safely in British hands by 9.00 this evening. Mrs Mann at the moment is in Cyprus and will be flying to see him and I hope they will be able to meet in just a few hours time.

    This is very good news indeed, I am delighted at this outcome and I would like to express my thanks to the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Syrian government, the Iranian government, the Israeli government and all those other people who have played a role over many months in ensuring this very satisfactory outcome.

    We are very pleased about the outcome but I think we should also remember that we still have another hostage, Terry Waite, and I can imagine how his family must be feeling this evening. I would like them to know that we will be continuing to work very hard and will not be satisfied until we have Terry Waite free also and back where he belongs with his family.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    QUESTION:

    What will you be doing to free Terry Waite?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I do not think it would have been very helpful in recent months if we had been too public about the work that has been going on behind the scenes to help free Jackie Mann, the important thing is the outcome, we have not forgotten Terry Waite, we want Terry Waite back here, home with his family. We will continue the diplomacy that has proved successful on a number of occasions in recent weeks.

    QUESTION:

    What is Mr Mann’s condition?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I do not have any detailed information about Mr Mann’s condition, I have heard, though with no confirmation, that he is a little unwell but I do not know yet what a little unwell may mean, I hope to find out very shortly.

    QUESTION:

    Have you spoken to Mrs Mann at all?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, Mrs Mann is now waiting to get on a plane at Cyprus and I think she has other things on her mind at the moment.

    QUESTION:

    When will Mr Mann return to the UK?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    That is a matter for Mr and Mrs Mann to determine, the first thing that will happen is that he will have some medical attention in Damascus, we have a medical team out there waiting to see him, he will have some medical attention, he will probably want to have some time to rest, to recuperate and to discuss what next to do with Mrs Mann, when he returns is a matter for him and I cannot tell you yet when that will be.

    QUESTION:

    In general terms what is going on diplomatically at the moment, was this sparked off by further concessions by the Israelis?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No it is not a question of concessions by the Israelis, there has been a great deal of pressure over recent months for progress towards the general release of hostages, you have seen what has happened in recent weeks, I believe that diplomacy has been very successful. John McCarthy has been released, a number of prisoners in Israel have been released, now I am delighted Jackie Mann has been released. The policy is moving in the right direction, I have no more to say about it than that, I hope we will be able to carry it a little further.

    QUESTION:

    Do you want another gesture now from the Israelis?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We are continuing a policy in company with others and with the tremendous work being done by the Secretary General to try and get a much greater release of hostages generally, that requires goodwill on all sides. Some progress has been made after a very long period when there was total blockage, no sign of hope and no hostages being released. So it is a hopeful time, things are moving forward, I hope and believe they may yet move forward further.

  • PMQT – 7 February 1991

    Below is the text of Prime Minister’s Question Time from 7th February 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER

     

    Engagements

    Q1. Mr. Ashby : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 7 February.

    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, including one with the president of the International Red Cross.

    Mr. Ashby : When my right hon. Friend meets the president of the International Red Cross this evening, will he tell him of the utter revulsion that the British people feel about the treatment of prisoners of war by Saddam Hussein? Will he urge the International Red Cross to redouble its efforts to obtain from the Iraqis details of the prisoners of war and about access to them? Will he ask the International Red Cross please to remind Saddam Hussein that the Iraqis cannot expect to benefit from the International Red Cross if, at the same time, Iraq refuses to honour its agreements under the Geneva convention?

    Mr. Major : I shall certainly be making those points, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence did yesterday. I shall also be making it clear that in no way can Iraq’s behaviour be equated with that of the allies in their treatment of prisoners of war. Iraq is in gross and flagrant violation of its obligations while the allies are doing everything possible to ensure that they meet their commitments under the Geneva convention.

    Mr. Kinnock : Today’s attack in Whitehall was both vicious and futile, since it will neither intimidate nor divert anyone, whether in government or opposition, in this democracy. May I express my relief at the fact that the attack caused so little harm to people, my admiration for the workers in Whitehall who continued with their duties, and my appreciation of the emergency services who responded with great speed and expertise? Today’s experience further increases our fellow feeling for the people of Northern Ireland who have lived with such atrocities for nearly two decades. May I put to the Prime Minister my firm view that outrages such as the one today increase the unity and determination that we all share to defend democracy and defeat terrorism, whatever its source.

    The Prime Minister : I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. I know that he shares my contempt for terrorism, which he has just expressed again most eloquently. It is clear from the timing of this morning’s attack that it was a deliberate attempt both to kill the Cabinet and to do damage to our democratic system of government. It failed. In no circumstances could it possibly have succeeded. Many people in this country, including most noticeably those many brave people in Northern Ireland, have been the victims of terrorist attacks on many occasions. None of those attacks succeeded in changing the policy of successive Governments, nor the policies or principles of this House in any single iota–nor will they. The IRA’s record is one of deep failure in every respect. That failure was demonstrated yet again today. It is about time the IRA learned that democracies cannot be intimidated by terrorism and we rightly treat it with contempt.

    Sir Bernard Braine : Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that in the present exceptionally cold weather, which is forecast to increase in intensity, some of our fellow citizens, especially the elderly and the infirm, may suffer grievously? Is it possible for my right hon. Friend to consider ways and means of providing extra help for such people?

    The Prime Minister : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security met my right hon. and learned Friend the Chief Secretary this morning to discuss the particular problems caused by the wholly exceptional weather. Severe weather payments have already been triggered in half the country and that may be extended. Our primary concern now is to ensure that vulnerable groups keep warm. Therefore, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be announcing later today that the seven-day qualifying period will be waived in view of the exceptionally severe weather. Therefore, people should keep warm–secure in the knowledge that payment will be made to those eligible even if, as forecast, the cold weather lasts only a few days. Payment will also be made at the enhanced rate of £6 per week to reflect higher fuel charges.

    Mr. Ashdown : Will the Prime Minister pass on our best wishes to those who were injured in this morning’s outrage? Does he realise that the whole House and, I believe, the whole nation will back him in his determination to ensure that government continues as usual, despite this morning’s outrage? Does he agree that the operation of an open democracy necessarily carries with it some risks and that the proper response to terrorism is to do as he has done and make it clear that we will not be deflected in our policies or weakened in our determination to preserve the open and accessible character of our democracy?

    The Prime Minister : I believe that the right hon. Gentleman speaks for the whole House in what he has said. Our determination to beat terrorism cannot be defeated by terrorism. I hope that that is fully understood everywhere. I shall be happy to pass on the right hon. Gentleman’s best wishes to those who were injured and also his congratulations and those of the Leader of the Opposition to those many people from the emergency services who helped this morning.

    Rev. Ian Paisley : Will the right hon. Gentleman accept that the people of Northern Ireland fully support what the Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition has said today? Will he also accept that they congratulate the Prime Minister and his colleagues on their escape today? Will he bear it in mind that those of us who represent Northern Ireland in the House often face difficulties when murders and atrocities take place in Northern Ireland and we cannot have the time of the House to bring them to hon. Members’ attention as has occurred today? Will the Prime Minister consult the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and consider whether immediate action can be taken to ensure that the fair employment legislation is not used against workers supporting the war in the Gulf?

    The Prime Minister : The whole House recognises that, alas, Northern Ireland has had far too much experience of the sort of attack that we have seen today in London. The hon. Gentleman will know of the firm opposition of the Government and their predecessors to that sort of attack in Northern Ireland.

    Mr. Ernie Ross : Further to his reply to the hon. Member for Leicestershire, North-West (Mr. Ashby), when the Prime Minister meets the president of the International Red Cross, will he confirm that while we insist that Iraq accepts its responsibilities, we will also accept our responsibilities with regard to others who are suffering because of our allies’ failure to accept the International Red Cross and the Geneva convention? Will he tell the president that he will re-affirm that commitment to the Israeli Government in relation to their treatment of the Palestinians on the west bank and in Gaza?

    The Prime Minister : All allies in this conflict are following the Geneva convention to the letter. That is, has been and will continue to be the case.

     

    Q2. Mr. Cyril D. Townsend : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 7 February.

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

    Mr. Townsend : In view of my right hon. Friend’s great concern for the plight of Terry Waite and the other British hostages in Beirut, will he give serious consideration to sending a senior emissary to Tehran and Damascus–taking advantage of our restored diplomatic relations–and to Beirut to learn at first hand what more the British Government can do to obtain the hostages’ long-overdue release?

    The Prime Minister : We remain very concerned about the plight of Mr. Waite, Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Mann and about the effect on their families of their long imprisonment. We already have representatives in Teheran, Damascus and Beirut and they are devoting a great deal of effort to securing the release of our hostages. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Syrian Foreign Minister Ash-Shara’ yesterday and made it clear yet again that Syria will do all that it can to secure their release.

     

    Q3. Mrs. Heal : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 7 February.

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

    Mrs. Heal : I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement about the cold weather payments. As one who knows well the weaknesses of that system, why does he not use the power that he has to abandon the scheme altogether and look for a general uprating of pensions for all people all the time?

    The Prime Minister : In making that point, the hon. Lady wholly forgets the changes that have been made to the payments available. She has perhaps also overlooked the fact that severe weather payments did not exist at all when last there was a Labour Government.

    Mr. Stanbrook : In view of my right hon. Friend’s welcome words about the people of Northern Ireland, do not they now deserve a promise that they will never be removed from the protection of the British Crown?

    The Prime Minister : As my hon. Friend knows, they have that certainty without their express wish to be otherwise.

     

    Q4. Mr. Skinner : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 7 February.

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

    Mr. Skinner : Does the Prime Minister recall that on 8 November last year, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer introducing his autumn statement, he said that for this financial year there would be a budget surplus of £3 billion? Is he aware that many Ministers are saying that that £3 billion surplus has disappeared? If such a gross miscalculation had been made by a Labour local authority, it would have been subjected to poll tax capping and surcharge. What does the Prime Minister intend to do – sack his Chancellor?

    The Prime Minister : As to the fiscal position, that will be announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in the Budget. As to the accuracy of forecasts, far be it from me to recall unhappy memories for the hon. Gentleman, but there were occasions when the right hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Healey) was out by several hundred per cent. in his fiscal forecasts.

    Miss Emma Nicholson : Will the Prime Minister congratulate those of our allies such as Turkey, and other nations that have fundamentalist Muslim insurrectionists and great difficulty maintaining political stability, on the brave moves that they have made in furthering the allied cause in the Gulf?

    The Prime Minister : I am entirely happy to do that. My hon. Friend expresses the point most eloquently.

     

    Q5. Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 7 February.

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

    Mr. Banks : May I share with the Prime Minister a problem that I have?

    Hon. Members : “No.”

    Mr. Speaker : Order. Provided that it is a question.

    Mr. Banks : It is not that sort of problem, anyway. A small gent came into my constituency office on Monday and said, “Why is it that in Britain we have the highest inflation rate, the highest interest rates and the highest balance of payments deficit in the European Economic Community?” He asked whether these were the problems of success or an indication that the economy was in deep doo-doo. I said that I had not the faintest idea, but that the next time I saw the Prime Minister I would ask him. So what is it – economic success or deep doo-doo?

    The Prime Minister : It is clear that the hon. Gentleman has not the faintest idea, for his facts are wrong.

     

    Q6. Mr. Ian Taylor : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 7 February.

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

    Mr. Taylor : Following the previous point, does my right hon. Friend agree that the stability of sterling against the deutschmark, despite the recent rise in German interest rates, shows increasing confidence in the Government’s determination to bring down inflation within the exchange rate discipline? Is not that the best framework for a lasting and sustained reduction in interest rates, with the removal of the premium required for holders of sterling in terms of interest rates against other currencies? Is not that better for British industry than the cut-and-run tactics practised by the Opposition?

    The Prime Minister : The stability certainly reflects, to some extent, our membership of the exchange rate mechanism, which is in no sense a straitjacket. If the pound were falling, we should not be able to cut interest rates whether we were in or out of the exchange rate mechanism. In due course, the stability that the mechanism provides will help and not hinder. The opportunity will come as our inflation rate falls.

     

    Q7. Mr. Malcolm Bruce : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 7 February.

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

    Mr. Bruce : The husband of a constituent of mine unfortunately died in the Gulf a few months ago. As a result, my constituent and her daughter lost their home in Germany and require to be rehoused by the local council, which has not been able to rehouse them. If that is an indication of the way in which the Army treats widows, will local authorities be able to cope in those circumstances?

    The Prime Minister : As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Army will always look at these matters sympathetically. If the hon. Gentleman will provide me with the details of the case, of which I had no prior knowledge, I shall be happy to examine it for him.