§ Q6. Dr. WrightTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 30 March.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave some moments ago.
§ Dr. WrightDoes the Prime Minister recall that he told the House some time ago that a referendum on the Maastricht treaty would be unnecessary as the country had decided that matter in the general election? Does he accept that that was a foolish statement—that, whatever was decided in the general election, it was not the Maastricht treaty? Does he understand that it is both foolish and dangerous to tell people that they have decided something when they have had no part in the decision?
§ The Prime MinisterThe strict answer to the hon. Gentleman's earlier question is no. The hon. Gentleman knows very well why I think that it is right that this House should decide the fate of the Maastricht treaty in all its aspects. That is the basis of parliamentary democracy, and, as I understand it, it is the position of his own Front Bench.
§ Q7. Mr. Cyril D. TownsendTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 30 March.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. TownsendIs my right hon. Friend aware of the support, in all quarters of the House, for the United Kingdom's early return to UNESCO, which has been greatly reformed in recent years? Bearing in mind the fact that President Clinton is about to take the United States back into that organisation, would it not be prudent for my right hon. Friend to secure this country's return beforehand?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend and others of my hon. Friends made me well aware of the strength of their feelings on this matter when they came to see me recently. As I indicated to them, we are keeping the matter under review, and no final decisions have been taken. I will certainly bear my hon. Friend's concern in mind when we make our decisions.