1994 - PMQT Written Answers 24th March 1994

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister's Question Time from 24th March 1994.

 

PRIME MINISTER:

Education Standards, Barnet

Q10. Mr. John Marshall : To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit the London borough of Barnet to discuss education standards.

The Prime Minister : I have no immediate plans to do so, but I am aware of the improved GCSE results in all the secondary schools in my hon. Friend's constituency.

 

Seals

Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, column 414, how the embassy in Moscow raises the issue of seal pup slaughter in Russia; and what action will be taken to raise the matter of the killing of seals on the shores of the Caspian sea.

The Prime Minister : The embassy in Moscow continues to raise the subject of public concern over seal hunting with the Russians during meetings with appropriate officials. The issue was most recently discussed with the chairman of the sub-committee on science in the Russian Parliament. The embassy is also seeking an early opportunity to raise the subject of hunting in the Caspian sea with officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Engagements

Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 24 March.

Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 24 March.

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, pursuant to his oral answer of 8 March, Official Report, column 148, what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with water pump and water filter manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies about supplies of medicines and equipment to authorities in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.

The Prime Minister : None. Our substantial aid to Iraq is organised through the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations, not through manufacturers directly.

 

Mr. Justice Wood

Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from (a) individual judges and (b) the judge's representative body about the Lord Chancellor's relationship with Mr. Justice Wood, prior to the latter's retirement as president of the employment appeals tribunal; and what action he will take.

The Prime Minister : None.

 

Security and Intelligence Agencies

Sir Peter Hordern : To ask the Prime Minister what provision is being sought in the 1994-95 supply estimates for the security and intelligence agencies.

The Prime Minister : The 1994-95 supply estimate for class XIX, vote 2 "Cabinet Office : security and intelligence services", published today, fulfils the commitment I gave on 24 November 1993, Official Report, column 52, to bring together the aggregate expenditure of the security and intelligence services into a single vote.

Total provision sought for 1994-95 is £881.486 million, around 8 per cent. below forecast outturn for 1993-94. Provision for these services is planned to decline by around a further 5 per cent. in cash terms by 1996-97.