§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Attorney-General on what dates in 1990 meetings were held with representatives of Customs and Excise to discuss the prosecution of Chris Cowley and Peter Mitchell for allegedly breaking the arms embargo with Iraq and Iran; and on what date senior Treasury counsel provided advice on the question of bringing a prosecution against Mr. Cowley and Mr. Mitchell. [29261]
§ The Attorney-General[holding answer 19 June 1995]: I reply in relation to meetings and advice involving the Law Officers or their officials. Detailed information relating to the conduct of an individual criminal case is ordinarily confidential but has in this particular case already been substantially disclosed.
I understand that between April and November 1990 there were a number of conferences between representatives of Customs and Excise and senior Treasury counsel. One member of the legal secretariat to the Law Officers was present at such a meeting held on 25 April 1990. Another member attended two meetings in October 1990.
My predecessor and I met with the Solicitor to Customs and Excise and counsel on 8 November 1990. I was at that time Solicitor-General. My predecessor also met the chairman of the commissioners of HM Customs and Excise together with their solicitor on 9 November 1990.