Scott Inquiry

HC Deb 07 November 1995 vol 265 cc694-5W

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons in the Secret Intelligence Service and at GCHQ are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or a full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry, and how much each is paid. [42051]

Mr. Hanley

There are no staff in the Secret Intelligence Service or at GCHQ wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis within the Department or as external consultants or advisers, nor is it our practice to comment on financial matters relating to the security and intelligence agencies or to name their staff or external advisers.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list them; and how much each is paid. [42049]

Mr. Hanley

The number of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry is three and their annual salary cost is £74,539, at 1994–95 rates. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis within the Department or as external consultants or advisers, but the amount so far spent by this Department on external advice is £318,165.46. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42052]

Mr. Hanley

Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42050]

Mr. Hanley

Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.