§ Norman BakerTo ask the Prime Minister (1) under what circumstances official inquiries can be reopened; [34119]
(2) at whose request the Hammond Inquiry concerning the application for naturalisation by Mr. S. P. Hinduja was reopened; who gave authorisation for this reopening; and on what grounds. [34120]
§ The Prime MinisterI have asked Sir Anthony Hammond to review his earlier conclusions as a result of further papers that have now come to light.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Prime Minister what is the estimated cost to the public funds arising from the reopening of the Hammond Inquiry into the application for the naturalisation by Mr. S. P. Hinduja in 1998. [34121]
§ The Prime MinisterIt is not possible to provide a cost until the further work has been completed. However, the cost will be minimal.
861W
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Prime Minister what role was played by(a) Ministers, (b) civil servants and (c) special advisers in contributing to the story in the Sunday Times, edition 3 February, concerning the reopening of the Hammond Inquiry into the application for naturalisation by Mr. S. P. Hinduja. [34122]
§ The Prime MinisterMy press office responded to journalists' questions and confirmed the facts.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Prime Minister what the terms of reference are for the reopened Hammond Inquiry; who will be able to give evidence to this inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [34123]
§ The Prime MinisterSir Anthony Hammond QC has the following terms of reference
To review the conclusions of his Inquiry into what approaches were made to the Home Office in connection with applications for naturalisation made by Messers SP and GP Hinduja with a view to determining whether further papers which were not previously available to the Inquiry but which have now come to light would have materially affected the conclusions reached.The decision on who to invite for interview is a matter for Sir Anthony Hammond.