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Palestine

Mr. Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on UK-Palestine relations following his recent discussions with Chairman Arafat of the Palestine National Authority. [11338]

The Prime Minister: I was pleased to welcome President Arafat to London and to reiterate the Government's support for his work in the cause of peace in the middle east.

I made clear our concern at the continuing deadlock and our strong support for international efforts to get the peace process back on track. We believe that it is important that neither side acts in a way that damages the prospects for peace. I reaffirmed to President Arafat our view that the continued building of Israeli settlements is not only illegal under international law, but a major obstacle in the way of peace.

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I urged President Arafat to do everything possible to contain violence and to ensure the Palestinian Authority's respect for human rights. I reaffirmed Britain's willingness to continue playing an active role in the search for a just and lasting peace based on the two key principles of land for peace and the right of Israel to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries. As we approach our presidency of the European Union, we shall be giving particular attention to ways in which Europe can contribute.

I also reassured President Arafat of the United Kingdom's continuing strong material support for the Palestinians.

Scottish Parliament

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the security of funding for (a) accommodation and (b) services for the Scottish Assembly over the next (i) 10 and (ii) 20 years. [9927]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The Government's proposals for the funding of the Scottish Parliament are set out in the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament", which was published on 24 July.

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the division of responsibility between (a) a Scottish Assembly and (b) the Westminster Parliament on the capacity of (i) the Privy Council and (ii) other courts to evolve a corpus of consistent rulings in the legislative competence of the Assembly. [11732]

The Prime Minister: The proposed procedures for identifying and resolving problems over the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament are set out in the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" at paragraphs 4.15 and 4.17. The Government believe that problems would normally be resolved amicably, but there would be procedures for establishing the competence of the Scottish Parliament both before and after legislation is considered by it; and there would be provision for unresolved disputes about vires to be referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. There is no reason why the courts should not evolve a consistent body of rulings.

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the areas of Scots law which would be subject to the Scottish Parliament and not subject to Westminster. [11802]

The Prime Minister: The White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" makes clear that all matters that are not specifically reserved would be devolved and would therefore fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. A list of such matters is included in chapter 2 of the White Paper. Chapter 3 summarises the matters which would be observed.

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if future United Kingdom legislation will include United Kingdom extent provisions following the introduction of a Scottish Parliament. [11801]

The Prime Minister: Following the introduction of a Scottish Parliament, United Kingdom legislation would continue where appropriate to include clauses defining its territorial extent.

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Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of a Scottish Parliament on the current judicial structure. [11803]

The Prime Minister: It is made clear in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament" that responsibility for the criminal justice system and prosecution system for the civil and criminal courts in Scotland would be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. It would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament to determine how it discharges that responsibility, although I would expect it to pay full regard to the independence and standing of the judiciary. The two most senior judicial appointments in Scotland--The Lord President of the Court of Session and the Lord Justice Clerk--would however continue to be made by the Queen, on my advice, but on the basis of nominations from the Scottish Executive.

Amsterdam Summit

Mr. Streeter: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) of 26 June, Official Report, column 608, if he will make a statement on the obligations of member states not participating in the Euro-area as set out in the presidency conclusions at Amsterdam. [11423]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 30 July 1997]: As I said in my previous reply, membership of the new exchange rate mechanism will be voluntary. There is therefore no legal obligation to join.

Policy Reviews

Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Prime Minister what recent instructions and guidelines he has given to Departments in relation to future policy reviews; and if he will make a statement. [11888]

The Prime Minister: Proposals for reviews should be cleared through my office, to ensure that they are considered in the context of the Government's overall agenda.

Age Discrimination

Mr. Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister what is the Government's policy towards age discrimination in elections to public bodies. [11713]

The Prime Minister: Appointments to public bodies are governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit. The Commissioner for Public Appointments' "Guidance on Appointment's to Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies and NHS bodies", which is mandatory for all Government Departments, states that age should not be a criterion in drawing up a specification for a public appointment unless there is a need to balance the age range of membership. However, even then, age should not be used as the deciding factor when making appointments.

Mr. Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on age discrimination in employment; and if he will make a statement. [11792]

Mr. Alan Willians: To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy in relation to age discrimination; and what steps have been taken to implement the policy. [11806]

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The Prime Minister: The Government firmly believe that age discrimination is unfair and makes no economic sense for business or society. However, tackling it is a complex matter and it is important to ensure that any action we take will bring real benefits. That is why we have already announced our intention to consult widely on age discrimination in employment to obtain a consensus on the best way forward.

Minister without Portfolio

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister for what reason the Government were represented at meetings in France on Thursday 17 July with (a) the French President's aide-de-camp and (b) the French Minister in charge of European affairs by the Minister without Portfolio. [11812]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio.

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 22 July, Official Report, column 525, if he will include the answering practices of the Minister without Portfolio in the review of ministerial accountability. [11976]

The Prime Minister: I have nothing further to add to the reply given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 22 July, Official Report, column 525.

Mr. Hawkins: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the persons who were not established civil servants on 2 May whose salaries are currently being paid by Government Departments, identifying those who previously assisted the campaigning activity of the Labour party under the present Minister without Portfolio; and if he will list the current salaries and positions held by each of these persons. [5421]

The Prime Minister [pursuant to his reply, 18 July, c. 340-41]: Mr. Bernard Gray should be added to the list of special advisers.

Council of Europe

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Prime Minister if he will announce the composition of the United Kingdom delegation for the September 1997 part session of the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. [12281]

The Prime Minister: The September 1997 part-session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will be opened in Strasbourg on 22 September. The delegation from the United Kingdom for the session will consist of 23 members of the Labour party, nine of the Conservative party and four members from the minority parties. The delegation will serve in place of the current delegation from the opening of September 1997 part-session.

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

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

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