§ 9. Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what disciplinary action is being taken against civil servants in respect of the findings of the Scott report. [20687]
§ Mr. FreemanDisciplinary action would not be appropriate if officials acted conscientiously, in good faith and in accordance with Government policy. The great majority of civil servants identified in the Scott report are in this category. Where there is evidence to the contrary, Departments will consider whether disciplinary action is appropriate.
§ Mrs. ClwydIs it not true that, if civil servants had been free to reveal to Parliament the truth about arms sales to Iraq and those involved in them, there would never have been a Scott inquiry or any prosecutions and £610 million of taxpayers' money would not have been lost in respect of lost export credit guarantees?
§ Mr. FreemanThere is, as the hon. Lady knows, a new code of practice in force for civil servants. If they feel that they have been asked to act improperly or have been subjected to political interference or direction, they have a right of appeal through their permanent secretary to the First Civil Service Commissioner.
As the hon. Lady will also know, a review is under way in the Ministry of Defence, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I reported to the House in the Scott debate. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will also have something to say in due course about the degree of disclosure on arms sales.