§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek information from the US Government about the reason why the US air force intelligence document relating to Pan Am 103 produced in 1991 was provided to the parties in a legal dispute relating to the destruction of the aircraft.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI understand that the document was released following a request under the United States Freedom of Information Act.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations have been made to the Government of Iran622W to seek information about Ali Akbar Mohtashemi following the production of the US air force intelligence document relating to Pan Am 103 in 1991;
(2) what representations were made to the Government of the Republic of Syria to seek information about terrorist groups following the production of the US air force intelligence document relating to Pan Am 103 in 1991.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggNone. As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend of 26 January,Official Report, column 332, the allegation contained in the document was first made at an early stage in the Lockerbie investigation, was examined at the time, but no evidence has been found to substantiate it.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mr. Edwin Bollier of the Swiss Company Mebo sought the opportunity to see the circuit board relating to the timing device in Pan Am 103; and whether permission has been given.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has repeatedly made it clear that it would not be proper to discuss communications between the prosecuting authorities and a potential witness in pending criminal proceedings.