The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1990Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 6 December 1990

The text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 6th December 1990.


PRIME MINISTER:

The Gulf (Ecological Consequences)

Q9. Mr. Tam Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister what assessment has been made of the ecological consequences of a military option in the Gulf.

The Prime Minister : On any realistic estimate, the main effect would be to increase annual world CO emissions by a small amount. Any environmental damage is undesirable, but the international community believes that the issues at stake are overriding. The way to avoid any of the consequences to which the hon. Member draws attention is for Saddam Hussein to comply with the resolutions of the United Nations and to withdraw from Kuwait.

Staff

Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the names, duties and grading of those now employed in his office.

The Prime Minister : The senior staff currently employed in my office and paid from public funds are :

Name |Grade |Position
——————————————————————————————————–
Mr. A. Turnbull |Grade 2 |Principal Private Secretary
Mr. C. D. Powell |Grade 3 |Private Secretary-Overseas Affairs
Mr. D. C. B. Morris |Grade 5 |Private Secretary-Parliamentary Affairs
Mr. B. Potter |Grade 5 |Private Secretary-Economic Affairs
Miss C. A. Slocock |Grade 7 |Private Secretary-Home Affairs
Mr. J. R. Catford |Grade 5 |Secretary for Appointments
Mr. A. T. O’Donnell |Grade 3 |Chief Press Secretary
Mr. T. J. Perks |Grade 5 |Deputy Chief Press Secretary
Mr. C. Fountain |Grade 7 |Security Co-ordinator
Mrs. S. Hogg |Grade 1A |Head of Policy Unit
Mr. J. Mills |Grade 5 |Policy Adviser
Miss C. Sinclair |Grade 5 |Policy Adviser
In addition, there are currently 56 employed on administrative and support duties. I am considering further appointments to my policy unit.

Downing Street (Gates)

Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to remove the gates to the entrance to Downing Street.

The Prime Minister : No.

Ministerial Responsibilities

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop : To ask the Prime Minister when the Cabinet Office will issue an up-to-date edition of the document entitled “List of Ministerial Responsibilities.”

The Prime Minister : An up-to-date edition will be deposited in the Library as soon as possible after ministerial responsibilities in Departments have been determined.

Department of Energy

Mr. Arbuthnot : To ask the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to retain the Department of Energy as a separate Department.

The Prime Minister : My present expectation is that work in the energy area will justify the retention of a separate department at least until the end of this Parliament.