HC Deb 22 February 1996 vol 272 cc236-7W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16590]

Mr. Hanley

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary first saw the report on Wednesday 7 February 1996.

Mr. Hain

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16574]

Mr. Hanley

Access 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 range of 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.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16504]

Mr. Hanley

The report was delivered to my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary during the afternoon of Wednesday 7 February 1996.

Mrs. Jane Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [16644]

Mr. Hanley

Access 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 range of 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 grade.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [16527]

Mr. Hanley

A small number of civil servants in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office 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.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the hon. Members referred to in paragraph D4.3 of the Scott report who received letters couched in the terms described in paragraph D4.2. [16468]

Mr. Hanley

Mrs. G. Dunwoody MP, B. Field MP, M. Wolfson MP, C. R. Gregory MP, I. Stewart MP, R. Rhodes James MP, A. Haselhurst MP, Sir G. Finsberg MP, D. Curry MP, N. Griffiths MP, J. Patten MP, D. Atkinson MP, Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman MP, J. Redwood MP, C. Wardle MP, S. Bell MP, D. Alton MP, M. Jones MP, R. Tracey MP, T. Rathbone MP, D. Sumberg MP, R. Moate MP, M. Grylls MP, C. Hawkins MP, K. Baker MP, N. Winterton MP, Dr. A. Williams MP, Rt hon. Tony Benn MP, Rt hon. Peter Shore MP, Sir H. Rossi MP and M. Lord MP.

Some received more than one letter.

Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication he received from the secretary to 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. [16633]

Mr. Hanley

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade today.

Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [16550]

Mr. Hanley

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and FCO officials have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.