§ Mrs. Jane KennedyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16642]
The Deputy Prime MinisterAccess to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give their number or grades.
§ Mr. HainTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16576]
The Deputy Prime MinisterAccess to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedure agreed with the Scott Inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give the cost of the work.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16592]
The Deputy Prime MinisterI first saw the report on 10 February 1996. Such access was in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what communication he received from the secretary of the Scott inquiry concerning the time needed by the Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16635]
The Deputy Prime MinisterI refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade today.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister at what hour and minute of what day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16544]
The Deputy Prime MinisterI was not one of the recipients of an advance copy of Sir Richard Scott's report. I first saw the report on 10 February 1996. Such access was in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of the letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16552]
The Deputy Prime MinisterI and my officials have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru, for example, about my evidence to the inquiry in February 1994. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document 211W he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16525]
The Deputy Prime MinisterA small number of civil servants in each of the main Departments concerned had access to the report prior to publication for the purpose of preparing the Government's response. Such access was in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Scott inquiry.
§ Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16565]
§ Mr. HainTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consultations he had with non-ministerial right hon. and hon. Members before the publication of the Scott report. [16467]
The Deputy Prime MinisterI had no such consultations after the receipt of the Scott report or on the Government's response to it.