§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he had with the Prime Minister about the Al-Shifa factory in Sudan(a) prior to the bombing mission on 20 August and (b) prior to the Prime Minister's appearance on television on 20 August. [60408]
§ Mr. FatchettMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister was in France on 20 August and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was in Scotland. They were in contact through their officials. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister did not appear on television on 20 August.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was informed of the plans to bomb the Al-Shifa factory on 20 August; and by whom. [60409]
§ Mr. FatchettThe US Administration informed Her Majesty's Government of their intention to launch an attack shortly before the attack took place.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions on which the British Ambassador to the Sudan visited the Al-Shifa factory.[60410]
§ Mr. FatchettThe British Ambassador to the Sudan has visited the Al-Shifa factory once, on the occasion of the official opening in July 1997.