§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 12 June to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central, (Mr. Fatchett)Official Report, column 373, if he will list the external lawyers who have been used to provide advice for witnesses to the Scott inquiry; and if external lawyers have been used at the request of witnesses of Departments or of the Treasury solicitors. [29764]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government will have no objection to publishing the names of external lawyers who have been used to provide advice for witnesses to the Scott inquiry at public expense after Sir Richard Scott's final report has been published and provision of such advice has been concluded. External advice is provided at public expense either where the witness concerned requests it and the departmental legal adviser considers this reasonable or where, after consultation with his departmental legal adviser of the Treasury Solicitor, it is agreed that such advice should be sought.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 24 February, to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central, (Mr. Cousins)Official Report, column 353, if further evidence has been taken in private by Lord Justice Scott. [29155]
§ The Prime MinisterSir Richard Scott continues to obtain evidence, both oral and written, as the need arises. I am advised by the inquiry that the last evidence taken at a private hearing was on 4 May 1995.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Prime Minister if the Cabinet Office has received any information on allegations that British companies had circumvented export control regulations or guidelines covering Iraq or Iran, which have not yet been passed on to Lord Justice Scott. [29151]
§ The Prime MinisterAll information received by the Cabinet Office and identified as required by Sir Richard Scott's inquiry has been passed to the inquiry.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Prime Minister if he has instituted any change in the system of distribution of intelligence reports to Ministers and their appropriate officials as a result of the problems outlined by Baroness Thatcher in her evidence to the Scott inquiry. [29150]
§ The Prime MinisterA number of improvements have been made, of which details have been given to the Scott inquiry.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 12 June given to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett),Official Report, column 373, how many requests for legal assistance for witnesses to the Scott inquiry have been turned down as unreasonable; and if he will break down the costs to public funds between the costs in respect of (a) external lawyers and (b) the Treasury solicitors. [29763]
§ The Prime MinisterWitnesses to the Scott inquiry who wish to seek legal assistance at public expense must first seek the approval of their departmental legal adviser 155W or the Treasury Solicitor's Department. Where necessary, the nature, scope, source and terms of such legal advice are discussed with the individual concerned. I am not aware of any case in which there was a disagreement over the provision of legal advice following such discussions. The information on legal costs is given in my answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) today.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden),Official Report, column 374, on leaks from the provisional draft report of Lord Justice Scott, who conducted the inquiry; what were the responses of those who were interviewed; and if he will publish the conclusions for the inquiry. [29519]
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing further to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 12 June,Official Report, column 374.