§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to assure himself that the right hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor) has, in all respects, complied with the guidelines laid down in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers", and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 25 October 1994]Ministers have the responsibility to ensure that they comply with the guidelines in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". I have no reason to think that my right hon. Friend failed to do so.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Prime Minister what declaration of continuing association with Messrs Hill Samuel was made by the right hon. Member for Norfolk, South and on what date.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 25 October 1994]Because of his former association with Messrs Hill Samuel, my right hon. Friend gave instructions to his Department that he should play no part in the selection process, in 1993, of financial advisers to the Department of Transport for the channel tunnel rail link.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Prime Minister on what date the right hon. Member for Norfolk, South intimated(a) his desire to leave the Government and (b) his intention to rejoin Hill Samuel.
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§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 25 October 1994]As was made clear in my right hon. Friend's resignation letter of 20 July, he had advised me earlier in the summer of his intention to leave the Government. I was informed of my right hon. Friend's decision to take up his appointment on 6 October.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Prime Minister what intimation of potential conflict of interest was made by the right hon. Member for Norfolk, South when direction was given by his Department to the British Railways Board to establish a vendor unit; and on what date.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 25 October 1994]British Rail decided to establish a vendor unit in order to co-ordinate sales: no direction was given by the Department of Transport.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Prime Minister what arrangements were intimated by the right hon. Member for Norfolk, South under paragraphs 128 to 134 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers"; and if advice was sought by him from the then Prime Minister's Private Secretary in terms of paragraph 132.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 25 October 1994]My right hon. Friend's pension arrangements are a matter for him, but I am advised that they corresponded with the requirements of paragraphs 128-134 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers", and no consultation with the then Prime Minister's Private Secretary was therefore necessary.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list the contracts awarded by Her Majesty's Government to Messrs Hill Samuel between June 1979 and July 1994, with the value in each case.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 25 October 1994]The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 1 January 1991 the Cabinet Secretary has advised individual Ministers of his opinion on their conduct in relation to "Questions of Procedure for Ministers"; which Ministers were involved; and on what dates the opinion was given.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 28 October 1994]Discussions between Ministers and the Cabinet Secretary are private.