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Security and Intelligence Services
(Industrial Tribunals)
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Government towards access by staff of the security and intelligence services to industrial tribunals. [39610]
Mr. Rifkind: For reasons of national security, staff of the security and intelligence services have been subject to a general ban preventing their access to industrial tribunals. Following advice from the heads of the services, the Home Secretary and I have agreed that there should no longer be a general ban, but that decisions on whether access to industrial tribunals can be allowed should be taken case by case. Staff will be allowed access to an industrial tribunal in those cases where national security considerations can be met by the procedural safeguards available; where they cannot, access will continue to be disallowed.
This change carries forward the Government's policy of protecting national security, while also protecting to the maximum extent possible the employment rights of the staff of the security and intelligence services on whose diligence, professionalism and commitment the nation depends. It does not affect the restrictions on union membership by staff of the services.
Gibraltar
Dr. Marek: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to increase the use of Gibraltar airport. [38488]
Mr. David Davis [holding answer 22 July 1996]: We would welcome arrangements for the increased use of Gibraltar airport which would benefit Gibraltar and accord with Gibraltar's wishes.
Entry Clearance Referrals
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to lay before the House the 1995 report by Dame Elizabeth Anson, the independent monitor, of refusal of entry clearance where there is no right of appeal. [39611]
Mr. Rifkind: I have arranged for copies of Dame Elizabeth's 1995 report to be placed in the Libraries of the House today. I welcome the report and note Dame Elizabeth's recommendations, which will receive careful consideration.
23 Jul 1996 : Column: 190
Wassenaar Arrangement
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the negotiations to establish the Wassenaar arrangement. [39609]
Mr. David Davis: After more than two years of negotiations the Wassenaar arrangement was formally launched at a meeting of the 33 founding participating states on 11 and 12 July 1996 in Vienna.
The purpose of the arrangement is to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulations. Participating states will seek, through their national policies, to ensure that transfers of these items do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities which undermine these goals, and are not diverted to support such capabilities.
The arrangement will complement and reinforce existing control regimes for weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, by focusing on the threats to international and regional peace and security which may arise from transfers of conventional armaments and sensitive dual-use goods and technologies where the risks are judged greatest.
As part of the arrangement, participating states have agreed new control lists for military and dual-use goods and technologies. These are more focused than earlier lists on those goods and technologies which pose the greatest risk to international and regional peace and security. They are also shorter, thus benefiting British industry. A target date of 1 November 1996 has been set for the implementation of these new control lists.
Participating states will exchange, on a voluntary basis, information that will enhance transparency, will lead to discussions among all participating states on arms transfers, as well as on sensitive dual-use goods and technologies.
The Wassenaar arrangement is based on political, not legal commitment. All measures taken will be in accordance with national legislation and policies and implemented at national discretion.
The arrangement will not be directed against any state or group of states and will not impede bona fide civil transactions. Nor will it interfere with the rights of states to acquire legitimate means with which to defend themselves, as recognised in article 51 of the charter of the United Nations.
The Government welcome the establishment of the Wassenaar arrangement as a further step towards increased regional and international security. The UK will continue to play a full and active role in developing the arrangement further and in line with British interests.
A copy of the "Initial Elements", which describe the operating procedures of the Wassenaar arrangement, has been placed in the Library of both Houses.
23 Jul 1996 : Column: 191
Mr. Bill Michie:
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 16 April, Official Report, column 509, and the letter of 17 April regarding remarks about Sheffield city council, when the hon. Member can expect a full reply. [37119]
The Prime Minister:
I have nothing further to add to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member on 16 April, Official Report, column 509.
Sir Peter Tapsell:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 23 July. [37412]
Mr. Harry Greenway:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 23 July. [37414]
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.
Mr. Winnick:
To ask the Prime Minister if hon. Members may appear before the Intelligence and Security Committee. [38967]
The Prime Minister:
Yes. It is for the committee to decide whom it invites to give evidence.
Mr. Winnick:
To ask the Prime Minister what is the total amount spent so far arising from the Intelligence and Security Committee being established. [38841]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 22 July 1996]: Direct administrative and staff costs--excluding accommodation--were £207,054 from December 1994 to the end of June 1996.
Mr. Winnick:
To ask the Prime Minister how many officials work for the Intelligence and Security Committee; and what are their grades. [38842]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 22 July 1996]: Four. One grade 7, one senior executive officer, one higher executive officer (development) and a personal secretary.
Lady Olga Maitland:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many general medical practitioners hold chairs of general practice or primary care in United Kingdom universities and medical schools. [38393]
Mr. Forth:
The information requested is not available centrally. I understand that there are 23 professors of general practice in post at universities in the UK.
23 Jul 1996 : Column: 192
Mr. Hanson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will make it her policy to ban job advertisements associated with the sex industry from appearing in jobcentres; [38859]
Mr. Forth:
Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
(2) what steps she intends to take to remove sex industry advertisements from publications available in jobcentres. [38860]
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