Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Prime Minister if briefing material for the Ministry's folder for Question Time while he was(a) Chief Secretary to the Treasury, (b) Foreign Secretary, (c) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (d) Prime Minister still exists; and if he will make it available to the Scott committee of inquiry.
§ The Prime MinisterThe briefing material prepared for my use at Question Time while I was Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer and since I have been Prime Minister is still in existence. Not all the briefing material prepared for me for Question Time while I was Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has been retained, although that which relates to Iraq still exists. Material which is asked for by Lord Justice Scott's inquiry will be made available to him.
§ Mr. HainTo ask the Prime Minister how the Iraqi defence procurement network's activities in relation to United Kingdom-based companies were monitored by the Government in the period(a) 1985 to December 1988 and (b) since December 1988.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 24 November 1992]: It is not the Government's practice to comment on intelligence matters.