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PRIME MINISTER
Staff (Ethnic Minorities)
Mr. Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, as at 1 October 1997 of members of (a) his private office, (b) Government special advisers, (c) No. 10 Policy Unit and (d) No. 10 Downing Street staff in total. [56841]
The Prime Minister: Information on the ethnic origin of civil servants is collected on a voluntary basis, using confidential questionnaires. The number and percentage of ethnic minority staff in the private office, Government special advisers and No. 10 Policy Unit and for No. 10 Downing Street in total are set out in the table. These figures are for 1 November 1998. We are unable to verify retrospective data for 1 October 1997.
| Department | Total | Ethnic minority | Ethnic minority (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Downing Street staff | 145 | 7 | 4.8 |
| Private Office | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 10 Policy Unit | 19 | (3)-- | (3)-- |
| Government Special Advisers | 55 | 0 | 0 |
(2) Headcount of staff who responded to survey on ethnic origin
(3) Less than 5 staff
Source:
Departmental Returns
16 Nov 1998 : Column: 371
European Union (Information)
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that, in future official publications informing the public about the European Union, lists of recommended sources for further contact include organisations opposed to closer union; and if he will list the criteria for inclusion there. [59810]
The Prime Minister: There are no set criteria concerning contact lists in UK Government publications about the EU. Where lists are given, they should normally include contact points for officials in Government Departments who can provide practical assistance. The lists should also, where appropriate, include relevant outside organisations.
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the March meeting of Government press officers on better information in the EU; if he will list the delegates; and if he will place the (i) agenda and (ii) minutes of that meeting in the Library. [59806]
The Prime Minister: The meeting held on 27 March 1998 was an informal seminar to discuss the provision of information abut the EU. There were no minutes and the meeting did not draw conclusions. The General Affairs Council on 29 June, however, adopted Conclusions reflecting discussions at the meeting and subsequent follow-up by the Council. I have placed a copy of the programme, the objectives of the seminar, and a list of participants in the Libraries of both Houses.
Common Foreign and Security Policy
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on UK policy presentation at Poertschach on the Fourth Pillar; [59787]
- (2) if the Government supported integration of the Western European Union into the European Union (a) during the course of the Amsterdam Treaty negotiations and (b) at Poertschach; and if he will make a statement. [59788]
The Prime Minister: At the Amsterdam European Council in June 1997, EU member states agreed that the Union should foster closer institutional relations with the WEU with a view to the possibility of the integration of the WEU into the Union, if member States agreed unanimously.
The meeting of Heads at Poertschach was an informal meeting in preparation for the full European Council in Vienna, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken.
At the meeting I stressed the need for a stronger European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy underpinned by more defence capabilities. I did not advocate a particular institutional model.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those attending meetings held at (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) 10 Downing Street, since 1 May 1997, to discuss the Government's approach to the European Union; and what criteria were used to determine who was invited. [59797]
16 Nov 1998 : Column: 372
The Prime Minister:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend) on 29 June 1998, Official Report, columns 32-33.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those areas where EU policy has been modified as a result of the UK's ethical foreign policy initiative. [59793]
The Prime Minister:
We work closely with our EU partners to promote universal respect for human rights and to achieve real improvements in the lives of ordinary people. For example, under our Presidency the EU agreed a common position on human rights in Africa, strengthened its international work in opposition to the death penalty and established guidelines for international election monitoring. The EU also adopted a Code of Conduct on Arms Sales under our Presidency.
Mr. Hoyle:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those life peers appointed since 1990 who had been serving in local government prior to their appointment, and the local authorities on which they served. [58526]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 9 November 1998]: This information is not held centrally. However, I have asked my office to research this information and I will write to my hon. Friend in due course.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the results of UNSCOM's examinations of the presidential palaces in Iraq. [60093]
The Prime Minister:
A full report on the UNSCOM/IAEA inspections of Presidential sites in Iraq from 26 March to 4 April was sent by the United Nations Secretary General to Security Council members on 15 April.
The report recorded a superficially co-operative atmosphere, but that the sites had very obviously been extensively cleared before the inspectors entered.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the lines of accountability which apply to UNSCOM. [60089]
The Prime Minister:
UNSCOM is directly accountable to the United Nations Security Council.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 11 November 1998, Official Report, column 364, if he will ask the Iraqi Government for what reasons they require the removal of the UN weapons inspectors. [60091]
The Prime Minister:
The Iraqi Government's announcements of 5 August and 31 October clearly state their reasons for withdrawing co-operation from UNSCOM and IAEA, and their conditions for the restoration of co-operation. United Nations Security Resolution 1205, adopted unanimously on 31 October, condemns Iraq's actions as a flagrant violation of its obligations under relevant Security Council Resolutions. What is needed is not further explanation from the Iraqi Government, but full compliance with their obligations.
16 Nov 1998 : Column: 373
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 11 November 1998, Official Report, column 364, if he will place in the Library evidence found by the French and Swiss on all aspects of weapons destruction. [60092]
The Prime Minister:
A multinational group of experts met on 22-23 October to consider all the results of the analyses of Iraqi missile fragments carried out by laboratories in the US, France and Switzerland. The expert's report concluded that the evidence from the three laboratories conflicted with Iraq's declarations that these warheads had never been filled with any CW agents, including VX. The Executive Chairman of UNSCOM, Richard Butler, submitted the group's report to the President of the United Nations Security Council on 26 October. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms of the ethnic origin of civil servants in his Department, by grade, as at 1 October 1997. [56829]
Mr. Michael:
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office office on 5 November 1998, Official Report, columns 666-70.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the registers held by his Department which are open for inspection by (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [59735]
Mr. Michael:
My Department has responsibility for the following public registers which are open to inspection:
Register of Social Landlords
Register of approved voluntary children's homes
Register of medical centres in Wales responsible for the administration of yellow fever vaccine
Register of independent schools in Wales
List of Buildings of Special Architectural Interest
Schedule of Ancient Monuments
Register of Historic Parks and Gardens
Register of Historic Landscapes.
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