§ Q4. Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)What were the sources of information received by Her Majesty's Government on 5 March on the threats by Iraq to smuggle anthrax into the United Kingdom.
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterAs my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in a reply to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 24 March 1998 at column 179, it is not the Government's policy to disclose sources of specific information. Any report is carefully assessed in the context of the full picture of all available information.
§ Mr. DalyellBluntly, the source was Mossad, was it not?
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterBluntly, the House would not expect me to go into detail about our intelligence or its sources. That, as I am sure my hon. Friend will recognise, would damage our national interest and place our sources at risk. I am sure that my hon. Friend will appreciate that that is the policy pursued by all Governments.