§ Mr. RookerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the report of Lord Justice Scott on the inquiry into arms sales to Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [37110]
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 16 October 1995]: I understand from Sir Richard Scott that he has virtually finished the section of his report dealing with prosecutions arising from exports to Iraq in the period 1984 to 1990. He is currently completing the writing of his recommendations chapter.
I understand that the inquiry is engaged in seeking comments on criticisms of individuals made by Sir Richard Scott in the prosecutions section of the report. When Sir Richard has received those comments, he will consider them and, as appropriate, revise the report.
191WIt is impossible to predict with certainty how soon the report will be completed. This depends on a number of factors, including the extent and promptness of the responses to the draft extracts which have been, and continue to be, sent to people.
Subject to that, I am informed that the inquiry's own present expectation is that the final text will be completed in early December. The report will then be printed and published as soon as practicable thereafter.