§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold a public inquiry into the chartering of merchant ships during the Gulf war; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThere is no intention to hold a public inquiry into the chartering of merchant ships during the Gulf conflict. My Department's internal auditors fully investigated all aspects of the chartering of merchant ships during the Gulf conflict and their recommendations are being implemented. In addition, the National Audit Office has issued a report into the movements of personnel, equipment and stores to and from the Gulf, which drew heavily on the internal auditors' findings. The accounting officer has given evidence to the Public Accounts Committee and publication of the PAC report is imminent. The Department will respond to that Committee's observations in the usual manner.