Engagements

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 29 January 1991.

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Photo of Mr Jimmy Dunnachie Mr Jimmy Dunnachie , Glasgow Pollok 12:00, 29 January 1991

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 29 January.

Photo of Mr John Major Mr John Major , Huntingdon

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.

Photo of Mr Jimmy Dunnachie Mr Jimmy Dunnachie , Glasgow Pollok

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is total support for his concern for the welfare of British troops in the Gulf? Will he put his money where his mouth is and give councils the money that they need to relieve their troops in the Gulf of the poll tax burden?

Photo of Mr John Major Mr John Major , Huntingdon

As I indicated to the House the other day, authority already exists for local authorities to relieve troops during their period there.

Photo of Patrick Cormack Patrick Cormack , South Staffordshire

Will my right hon. Friend have a word with the chairman of the Post Office this afternoon about the supply of the blue letter forms on which families write to forces in the Gulf? Is he aware that families of the Staffordshire regiment have been complaining that the forms are not readily available in many rural post offices?

Photo of Mr John Major Mr John Major , Huntingdon

I can say to my hon. Friend that more have been distributed because of concern about that matter. About 600 sacks of mail are being moved each day to and from the Gulf. It is a massive operation. Hon. Members will have seen on television some of the difficulties that there are in delivering it.

Photo of Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn , Islington North

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 29 January.

Photo of Mr John Major Mr John Major , Huntingdon

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.

Photo of Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn , Islington North

Will the Prime Minister spend some time today considering the effects of 13 days of war in the Gulf, the deaths of service people, the massive losses of Iraqi civilians, the environmental destruction throughout the region, and the loss of some civil liberties in this country? Will the right hon. Gentleman accordingly join King Hussein of Jordan and the Pope in calling for a ceasefire in the war to enable the problems of the region to be addressed peacefully, as they will all be there at the end of the fighting?

Photo of Mr John Major Mr John Major , Huntingdon

It was not the allies who ensured that the problems of the region could not be solved peacefully; it was Saddam Hussein. It is perfectly clear what needs to be done before they can be addressed peacefully.

Photo of Dr Michael Clark Dr Michael Clark , Rochford

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 29 January.

Photo of Mr John Major Mr John Major , Huntingdon

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave some moments ago.

Photo of Dr Michael Clark Dr Michael Clark , Rochford

Will my right hon.Friend confirm that the coalition forces in the Gulf are striving to uphold the United Nations resolutions and that it is hoped, therefore, that as many members of the United Nations as possible will contribute towards this effort? Does he agree that there is every indication at the present time that this will happen, and that it is to be hoped that our friends and allies, particularly those that have not sent forces to the Gulf, will recognise their responsibilities and find ways of contributing to the war effort?

Photo of Mr John Major Mr John Major , Huntingdon

I agree with my hon. Friend. A number of Governments have already made financial contributions towards the cost of the forces in the Gulf and a number of others have announced their intention to do so. I understand that Germany has made such an announcement just today. We are grateful for that and we will be in touch with the Governments concerned.

Photo of Mr Paddy Ashdown Mr Paddy Ashdown Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Will the Prime Minister confirm that the objective of the coalition forces in the Gulf remains to secure the liberation, peace and stability of Kuwait and does not extend to the occupation and dismemberment of a defeated Iraq?

Photo of Mr John Major Mr John Major , Huntingdon

I am happy to confirm our war aims to the right hon. Gentleman. We have made them clear consistently. They are those set out in the United Nations Security Council resolutions. They have been and remain the aims of the allies.