WHAT HAPPENED ON 8th December 1996?

7th December 1996

HOPE OF FISHING TRUCE AFTER PARIS TALKS

Threats of a fish war between Britain and France over rights to Guernsey waters seem to have been averted. Officials meeting in Paris agreed to work out joint fishing rights when they meet again next month. And all sides promised to act with moderation over the disputed waters in the fishing area known as the Sark Box. Crisis talks were held after French trawlers entered the fishing area in a show of protest.

8th December 1996

"TRUST ME" PM TELLS PARTY AND COUNTRY

The Prime Minister has said to his colleagues "trust me" after a week of criticism over Europe & speculation about a split in the Tory party. John Major said with regard to Britain's position on EMU: "I cannot conceive the right decision for the UK to take is to stand aside". If other EU countries are fudging the criteria for entry "I need to be at the negotiating table to vote against that" He was speaking in On the Record on BBC John Major gives BBC interview104-6

8th December 1996

PM INSISTS ON NATIONAL INTEREST FIRST

John Major has said if he has to choose between the party interest & the national interest he would always choose the latter. He said he remained opposed to a centralist Europe but it was up to Britain to help to shape the future of the EU at the Amsterdam conference. Things were negotiable but needed the "British genius for pragmatism". "My position has not changed on these issues & will not change " he said. John Major gives BBC interview104-6

7th December 1996

AT WESTMINSTER DURING THIS WEEK MONDAY Welsh Secretary William Hague said all "possible means" of preventing the further spread of meningitis at Cardiff's University of Wales were being taken. Mr Hague said he would wait for the health authority report before deciding whether to undertake an inquiry. TUESDAY John Major confirmed that the Tories would go into the next election not having ruled out the possibility of joining a single European currency.

8th December 1996

"TRUST ME" PM TELLS PARTY AND COUNTRY

The Prime Minister has said to his colleagues "trust me" after a week of criticism over Europe & speculation about a split in the Tory party. John Major said with regard to Britain's position on EMU: "I cannot conceive the right decision for the UK to take is to stand aside". If other EU countries are fudging the criteria for entry "I need to be at the negotiating table to vote against that" He was speaking in On the Record on BBC John Major gives BBC interview104-6

8th December 1996

PM INSISTS ON NATIONAL INTEREST FIRST

John Major has said if he has to choose between the party interest & the national interest he would always choose the latter. He said he remained opposed to a centralist Europe but it was up to Britain to help to shape the future of the EU at the Amsterdam conference. Things were negotiable but needed the "British genius for pragmatism". "My position has not changed on these issues & will not change " he said. John Major gives BBC interview104-6

7th December 1996

AT WESTMINSTER DURING THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY Tory former Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd joined calls for Japan to compensate British prisoners-of-war held during World War II. Foreign Office minister Jeremy Hanley said the Government had not obtained all the former prisoners' demands. THURSDAY The Prime Minister condemned as "misleading" reports that the Government was planning a £50m package of cuts in war pensions.

8th December 1996

"TRUST ME" PM TELLS PARTY AND COUNTRY

The Prime Minister has said to his colleagues "trust me" after a week of criticism over Europe & speculation about a split in the Tory party. John Major said with regard to Britain's position on EMU: "I cannot conceive the right decision for the UK to take is to stand aside". If other EU countries are fudging the criteria for entry "I need to be at the negotiating table to vote against that" He was speaking in On the Record on BBC John Major gives BBC interview104-6

8th December 1996

TORY EURO-SCEPTICS UNMOVED BY PM'S VIEW

John Redwood has urged John Major to take a stand on Europe following the Prime Minister's reiteration of the wait-and-see policy. "I think most people in the party feel that you influence a debate by having a view " Mr Redwood told BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend. But pro-European Lord Howe said Mr Major was right to stick to his guns. Mr Redwood's path would do "huge damage to Britain's interests " he said. John Major gives BBC interview104-6

7th December 1996

AT WESTMINSTER DURING THIS WEEK FRIDAY The Government was plunged into crisis as Tory backbencher Sir John Gorst withdrew his cooperation from the Government threatening its majority. The MP's announcement came just minutes after a debate on the future of north London's Edgware Hospital casualty unit The resignation means the Conservatives' one-seat majority is now effectively a one-vote minority.

8th December 1996

"TRUST ME" PM TELLS PARTY AND COUNTRY

The Prime Minister has said to his colleagues "trust me" after a week of criticism over Europe & speculation about a split in the Tory party. John Major said with regard to Britain's position on EMU: "I cannot conceive the right decision for the UK to take is to stand aside". If other EU countries are fudging the criteria for entry "I need to be at the negotiating table to vote against that" He was speaking in On the Record on BBC John Major gives BBC interview104-6

8th December 1996

TORY EURO-SCEPTICS UNMOVED BY PM'S VIEW

John Redwood has urged John Major to take a stand on Europe following the Prime Minister's reiteration of the wait-and-see policy. "I think most people in the party feel that you influence a debate by having a view " Mr Redwood told BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend. But pro-European Lord Howe said Mr Major was right to stick to his guns. Mr Redwood's path would do "huge damage to Britain's interests " he said. John Major gives BBC interview104-6