§ Q5. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister what representations Her Majesty's Government have received from Sir Colin Figures and Sir Peter Marychurch concerning knowledge of an impending attack on airlines at Frankfurt airport in December 1988; and what response he has sent.
§ The Prime MinisterWe have received no such representations.
§ Mr. DalyellIn that case, could Sir Colin and Sir Peter be invited to shed light on the very specific jictels—Joint Intelligence Committee telegrams—giving clear information about the downing of an aircraft in October, November and December 1988? Could they shed light on the agreement reached by western intelligence with terrorist elements in the middle east about the downing of just one airliner, rather than 10 or 12, in what was described by Mohtashemi as "the rain of blood", and also on what they know of statements by United States agencies about Major Charles McKee not being able to return to the United States alive?
§ The Prime MinisterI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me notice of that detailed question so that I might examine the matter before responding.
As he knows, the Lockerbie investigation is the largest criminal investigation ever undertaken in this country. I have to reiterate to the House that the Lord Advocate has discovered credible evidence against two people only, and they remain the only two accused. If concrete new evidence were brought forward, it would of course be fully investigated. The point raised by the hon. Gentleman, of which he was kind enough to give me prior notice—that western intelligence agencies would enter into a deal with terrorist groups to allow the destruction of an aircraft—is utterly and completely unfounded. It did not happen and the hon. Gentleman can be assured upon that point.