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Conferences
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the conferences held by his Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the (a) purpose and (b) estimated cost. [27809]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 5 February 1998]: I hold a range of meetings with outsiders within 10 Downing Street on policy matters. These vary in size. I have held two gatherings, which might be termed conferences, when there were more than 40 people present.
25 Feb 1998 : Column: 252
The first was an education summit held on 4 September 1997 to enable practitioners in schools to contribute to Government thinking on raising standards in schools. The cost of this seminar was £400.
The second, on 4 December 1997, was a summit which brought together senior businessmen, scientists and others to discuss how business could help in tackling climate change. Any costs incurred were minimal.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Prime Minister how many of his officials attended conferences (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas; and how many and what percentage made (i) oral and (ii) written contributions to the matters under discussion in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [31170]
The Prime Minister:
The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mrs. Ewing:
To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy for responding to letters received in the (a) Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28052]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 10 February 1998]: Normal practice under this and previous Administrations has been to refer letters to the relevant Department for reply. This means that such correspondence would be responded to in accordance with standard Departmental practice. If a Prime Ministerial reply were warranted, replies would usually be sent in the English language, with a translation if practicable.
Mr. Gerald Howarth:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those Ministers who in order to avoid potential conflicts of interest have assigned to other Ministers responsibility for part of their portfolios, and list the areas of each Minister's responsibility which have been so assigned. [28723]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 10 February 1998]: This information is not held centrally. In accordance with the Ministerial Code, where it is proper for a Minister to retain a private interest, it is the rule that he or she should disclose that interest to Ministerial colleagues if they have to discuss public business in any way affecting it, and that the Minister should remain entirely detached from the consideration of that business. Observing this rule is an individual responsibility of each Minister.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to set up a Ministry of Rural Affairs following the reorganisation of MAFF; and if he will make a statement. [29739]
The Prime Minister:
The question of any transfer of responsibility between Departments is being considered in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. No decisions have yet been reached.
25 Feb 1998 : Column: 253
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Prime Minister what restrictions are placed on Ministers' powers to withhold information relating to themselves under the terms of the Official Secrets Act 1989; and what arrangements he has made to monitor the effectiveness of those restrictions. [30299]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 19 February 1998]: Under the Official Secrets Act 1989, Crown servants, including Government Ministers, must withhold information if they believe that such information is protected under the Act and they do not have lawful authority to disclose it--otherwise to disclose it would constitute an offence.
The Act protects specific categories of official information, documents or articles which a Crown servant, including a Government Minister or Government contractor, has or has had in their possession by virtue of their position as such. This might in some circumstances include information relating to their official duties.
It is an offence to disclose information in the following categories if the disclosure is made without lawful authority and is damaging (as defined in the Act):
There are no restrictions on refusing to provide information covered by the Act if the disclosure of such information would constitute an offence.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Prime Minister under what circumstances Ministers have the power to require members of the public to agree to abide by the terms of the Official Secrets Act 1989; and what steps he takes to ensure Ministers do not abuse this power for personal reasons. [30295]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 19 February 1998]: Under the Official Secrets Act 1989 a Crown servant, including a Government Minister, can require anyone who is not a Crown servant or Government contractor under the Act, including a member of the public, to hold in confidence official information which falls into any of the six categories covered by the Official Secrets Act and which has been entrusted to them.
The six specified categories of official information covered by the Act are:
It is an offence to disclose such information without lawful authority, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that it is protected by the provisions of the Act and that the disclosure is damaging (as defined by the Act).
25 Feb 1998 : Column: 254
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 16 February 1998, Official Report, column 473, what was the nature of the seminar attended by Mr. Gavyn Davies in Washington; who were the United States participants; and if he will make a statement. [30765]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 23 February 1998]: This seminar was to discuss common challenges faced by the US and UK Governments.
A number of US academics and officials attended.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to set the budget for the Strategic Communications Unit. [31104]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 25 February 1998]: The budget for the Strategic Communications Unit will be set as part of the overall budget-setting process for the Prime Minister's Office and Cabinet Office in the usual way.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Prime Minister what projects have been undertaken by the Strategic Communications Unit since its inception. [31108]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 24 February 1998]: Since its inception in January 1998 the Strategic Communications Unit has provided general advice and briefing for the Prime Minister on a range of issues. It has also worked on the following specific projects: upgrading the ministerial strategic planning computer system; preparing the Government's first Annual Report and redeveloping the No.10 website.
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the meetings he has held with organisations and individuals concerning the railway industry since 1 October 1997. [31095]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 24 February 1998]: Ministers in my Government have met a wide range of groups with interests in the railway industry to discuss matters of mutual interest. I have had discussions with Cabinet colleagues and officials.
Mr. Charles Kennedy:
To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to apply the work of the Social Exclusion Unit to issues of rural poverty and deprivation; and if he will make a statement. [30024]
The Prime Minister:
I have placed a copy of the Unit's work priorities in the libraries of the House. Most of them impact on the socially excluded wherever they live.
Sir Peter Tapsell:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 25 February. [30616]
The Prime Minister:
This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. Later today I shall have further such meetings.
25 Feb 1998 : Column: 255
security and intelligence
defence
international relations
foreign confidences
information which might lead to the commission of a crime
the special investigation powers under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 and the Security Service Act 1989.
security and intelligence
defence
international relations
foreign confidences
information which might lead to the commission of a crime
the special investigation powers under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 and the Security Service Act 1989.
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