Scott Inquiry (Hansard, 25 January 1996)

§ Mr. Robin Cook
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if copies of draft sections of Sir Richard Scott's report are in the possession of Ministers or officials in his Department other than those to whom draft sections of the report were sent by Sir Richard Scott. [11880]

§ Mr. Hanley
In forwarding draft sections of Sir Richard Scott's report to Ministers and officials, the inquiry expressly stated that individuals could, at their discretion, make a copy for a legal or other adviser and another for the department concerned. Whether they did so is entirely a matter for the individuals concerned.

§ Mr. Cook
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 18 January 1996,Official Report, columns 691–92, how much of the sum spent by his Department on external advice in relation to the Scott inquiry has been spent on legal advice. [11882]

§ Mr. Hanley
All of it.

§ Mr. Cook
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have used copies o draft sections of Sir Richard Scott's report to prepare the Government's response to Sir Richard Scott's report. [11881]

§ Mr. Hanley
No decision about the response to Sir Richard Scott's report will be taken until the report has been received.
In considering issues relating to the Scott inquiry, all Departments naturally take account of material properly available to them.