Question, Indiamail
Prime Minister the values that you preach - hard work/family/free enterprise - are matters very close to the heart of most Asians in the UK. In fact the last ten years of “Thatcherism” have economically benefitted the Asian community in particular, and you have a lot of admirers amongst them. Some of them feel your soul is “Asian” - Any comments?
MT
The Asian community in this country are excellent citizens and members of the wider community, and very many of them have made the most of the new opportunities which the Government's policies over the past eleven years have opened up. That has benefitted them and it has benefitted Britain as a whole. It is not a question of my soul being Asian, but of sharing a belief in hard work, enterprise, choice, opportunity and the importance of the family: that is what brings success - to individuals and the country.
Question, Indiamail
Mr Norman Tebbit during the Hong Kong Nationality Bill spoke of the “Cricket Test” loyalty, asking which side Asians would cheer for.
MT
Mr Tebbit was expressing a personal point of view as he is perfectly entitled to do in a democracy like ours - just as one is free to support whatever cricket team one wants.
Question, Indiamail
Talking of granting British passports to Hong Kong Chinese - may I remind you Prime Minister that even today there are over 30,000 East African British passport holders in India waiting to enter the UK. Her Majesty's Government has applied a “quota voucher system” whereby only 500 can be admitted every year.
For someone at the end of the queue it could possibly take over 60 years to be given this right of residence. What is Her Majesty's Government's plans to speed up this process in view of the fact that you are now planning to give the Hong Kong Chinese “right of residence” in the UK? [end p1]
MT
I think you will find your figures are inaccurate. At the end of June 1990, there were only 946 outstanding applications for quota vouchers in India. Their number refers to heads of households only, but their dependants are included in the application and are allowed to join or accompany them to the United Kingdom. We estimate there are now fewer than 3,000 people waiting in this particular queue. Those applications currently at the end of the queue can expect to be interviewed within the next 16 months.
There is no comparison between the quota voucher system and our scheme to grant British citizenship to up to 50,000 key people in Hong Kong and their immediate families. The aim of our nationality package for Hong Kong is to encourage key people to remain in the territory so that they can continue to contribute to its prosperity and stability.
Question, Indiamail
Salman Rushdie's book the Satanic Verses (whatever the merits or demerits of the issues) has created havoc for “race relations” in the UK. What in your opinion is the way to defuse this issue? What is the way forward?
MT
The Satanic Verses has caused concern and hurt to many people - Muslims and non-Muslims. We have tried to reduce tension in several ways. We have made it clear that freedom of speech within the law must be respected. We have upheld Mr Rushdie's right to write what he chooses and have condemned the threats made against him and his publisher.
At the same time, we have made it clear that we have the highest regard for Islam, for its proud, long traditions and its values. We understand how hurt Muslims are by what they regard as an insult to their great religion. Mr Rushdie has also apologised himself for any upset that the book may have caused.
The way forward is clearly to continue to promote greater understanding between the different faiths and cultures represented in Britain today. This is the government's objective, and we have demonstrated our respect for people's [end p2] diverse faiths and backgrounds. In this way, I am confident that the difficulties caused by this affair will pass.
Question, Indiamail
There seems to be controversy about the British High Commission's residence in New Delhi and the Indian High Commissioner's residence in Kensington Palace Gardens where the respective leases have run out. Has a solution been found?
MT
The lease renewals are matters of separate commercial negotiations between respective landlords and tenants. There is no controversy: it is merely a question of negotiating the terms of new leases. We certainly hope that arrangements can be worked out which will be satisfactory to both sides.
Question, Indiamail
Over the past year there has been a series of high level visits of officials between the UK and India. The Vice President of India visited the UK on state visits in the past few months. A number of your Ministers/colleagues have visited India. Is there an “upswing” in relations between India and the UK because of this?
MT
President Venkataraman's State Visit was a great event. There has traditionally been a steady flow of Ministerial and official visits in both directions between Britain and India, reflecting our longstanding close relations. We consider the state of relations between Britain and India are excellent: but we never stop looking for ways of strengthening them further.
Question, Indiamail
In 1991 there is an Engineering Trade Fair in India where Britain is the “Partner Country”. There is talk of Prince Charles and Princess Diana being present. Is this true? Would a senior member of your cabinet also be attending?
MT
I know that the Prince and Princess of Wales are looking forward to visiting India in February next year, but it is too early to discuss the details of their programme. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Peter Lilley, [end p3] is hoping to visit India at the time of the Indian Engineering Trade Fair, which is going to be a clear demonstration of the importance of our commercial links with India. There has been a splendid response by British companies wishing to take part in the fair. It will be a very major event.
Question, Indiamail
There is a possibility of war between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. In view of the fact that both are Commonwealth countries and the Asian community in the UK comprises of people from both countries, there is a possibility of a “fall out in the UK”. Do you envisage any role that Britain could play as the “honest broker”?
MT
We are very concerned about the tension over Kashmir between India and Pakistan, who are both friends of Britain. We welcome the statement by prominent leaders in both countries that neither wishes for war. In our many contacts with both governments we have said we believe the dispute over Kashmir can only be settled by agreement between them, in line with the 1972 Simla Agreement, which they both agree has relevance. We have offered to help resolve the problem, but only if both sides would like us to do so. Meanwhile we have welcomed the talks that have been taking place between the two Governments, aimed at reducing tension through confidence building measures, and hope that these will soon make progress.