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Gold Sales
Mr. Cash: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his letter to the President of South Africa relating to the sale of gold, delivered to the President of South Africa on 17 June. [91872]
The Prime Minister: As we announced on 7 May 1999 Official Report, column 485, we have undertaken the sale of gold to produce a better balance in the portfolio of UK reserves. On the advice of the Bank of England we made this public to ensure the sale was carried through on a clear and transparent basis. I wrote to the South African President on 11 June to set out these reasons in some detail and to follow up discussions we had already had with his Government. However, the letter also contained information received in confidence from the South African government. It is established practice under Section 1(c) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose such information.
Public Appointments
Mr. Singh: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many appointments to quangos he made between (i) 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998 and (ii) 1 June 1998 and 31 May 1999; [92042]
- (2) how many members of Britain's (a) ethnic minority communities and (b) Asian community he appointed to quangos between (i) 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998 and (ii) 1 June 1998 and 31 May 1999. [92113]
The Prime Minister: The number of appointments I have made to bodies listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies" are as follows:
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office set out the Government's new policy on collection and disclosure of ethnic origin data for public appointees in his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, North (Helen Jones) on 11 November 1998, Official Report, column 200. This policy came into effect with regard to new appointments and re-appointments from 1 April 1999.
26 Jul 1999 : Column: 28
However, owing to the small number of public appointments I have made since 1 April 1999 (two women and five men) information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without consent.
Information on ethnic origin with regard to appointments I have made prior to 1 April 1999 is not held in the form requested. However, I have asked my Office to research what information is available and I will write to my hon. Friend in due course.
Mr. Stevenson:
To ask the Prime Minister what improvements have been made by the Chinese Government in respect of (a) human rights and (b) the situation in Tibet since his discussions with Jiang Zemin in Beijing in October 1998. [92051]
The Prime Minister:
We continue to monitor the observance of human rights in China and the situation in Tibet. We regularly raise our concerns with the Chinese authorities. We are addressing the issue with China through our bilateral and EU/China human rights dialogues. Since October, two rounds of talks have taken place as well as three EU/China human rights seminars. China has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and invited the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to visit. These positive steps will help to bring about China's closer co-operation with UN human rights mechanisms. We will continue to encourage China to ratify the international covenants which it has signed and we will continue to support developments in China's legal system which we believe will bring about positive change to human rights in the longer term.
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 6 July 1999, Official Report, column 433, on Special Advisers, if he will set out the terms of the similar arrangements which applied under previous Administrations as they relate to briefing hon. Members of the party in Government. [91858]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 21 July 1999]: The introduction of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers" in May 1997 set out for the first time in a public document the duties and responsibilities of Special Advisers. These include helping to brief party MPs and officials on issues of Government policy, which, like the other duties, is not new. It ensures that Party publicity is factually accurate and consistent with Government policy. Successive Administrations have recognised that this is an appropriate task for Special Advisers.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions members of his policy unit have visited the Republic of Ireland on official business since 1 May 1997, indicating the name of the member and the dates of travel in each case. [92272]
The Prime Minister:
None.
26 Jul 1999 : Column: 29
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Prime Minister how many times he has held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 January 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting and the names of the Irish Ministers and officials at each meeting. [92270]
The Prime Minister:
Since I came to office I have had numerous meetings with the Irish Government to discuss the political situation in Northern Ireland and a range of other issues of mutual interest. Given the frequency and nature of the meetings, it is not possible to list all the separate occasions and locations. The meetings have, however, usually been held in London, Dublin or Belfast and made public in the normal way at the time. In addition, I have of course met the Taoiseach at European and other international meetings. In line with normal practice, I was supported at the meetings by the appropriate number of officials.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Prime Minister for what reason no announcement has yet been made in respect of the co-ordination within Government of animal welfare policies; when he expects to make such an announcement; and if he will make a statement. [92308]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 22 July 1999]: We are committed to continue working to ensure highest possible standards of animal welfare. Major steps already taken include announcing at the end of last year the end to all cosmetics testing on animals in the United Kingdom and no new licences have been issued for such tests since we came to power. We have also negotiated the phase-out across Europe of battery cages for laying hens. To date, co-ordination between Government Departments has been on an informal basis. However, this will be put on a formal basis this autumn by the establishment of an Interdepartmental Ministerial Group.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Prime Minister from whom members of the Government received invitations to attend meetings of the Bilderberg Group. [92863]
The Prime Minister:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) on 7 May 1999, Official Report, columns 476-77.
Who sends invitations is a matter for the Bilderberg Group.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the current state of disciplinary proceedings against Commission officials implicated in alleged fraud; how many are involved; at what levels; and what is the timescale for concluding such proceedings. [92865]
26 Jul 1999 : Column: 30
The Prime Minister:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin) on 20 January 1999, Official Report, column 505 in which she undertook to write to the hon. Member. She did so on 30 April 1999 and a copy of the letter was placed in the Libraries of the House.
The European Commission has been asked to provide an update on progress made since then and when proceedings are expected to conclude. I have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to write to the hon. Member when this information is received.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Prime Minister on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92654]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 23 July 1999]: In accordance with the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers are required always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Trips in and around London will normally be made by Government car. The last time I used a train was on 22 June 1999 to travel to Birmingham to attend a Conference to mark the anniversary of the New Deal and to present awards to the 100,000th New Dealer.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Prime Minister (1) what discussions he proposes to have about the continued occupation of Tibet with the Chinese President Jiang Zemin, when he visits the United Kingdom in the autumn; [92188]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 23 July 1999]: We are very much looking forward to the first ever State Visit by a President of the People's Republic of China this Autumn. During President Jiang's visit we expect to discuss a full range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
Between 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998--81
Between 1 June 1998 and 31 May 1999--58.
In addition The Queen has made a number of appointments to such bodies on my recommendation.
(2) what representations he proposes to make to the Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, this autumn about the detention of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognised by the Dalai Lama as the 11 Panchen Lama of Tibet. [92189]
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