§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the consistency between his statement inThe Sun on 17 February as to United Kingdom arms exports to Iraq with the details of export licences provided on pages 21. 33, 34 and 77 of the appendix A of volume V of the Scott report. [16907]
§ The Prime MinisterAppendix A of volume V of the Scott report confirms that the UK did not on any occasion approve the export of lethal defence equipment to Iraq. This is the point that I was making in my article inThe Sun on 17 February.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Prime Minister what guidelines he has issued to Departments in respect of the retention of papers dealing with export licences since the Scott inquiry commenced. [15979]
§ The Prime MinisterNo specific guidance has been issued on the retention of papers dealing with export licences. Central guidance on the retention of Government 305W papers generally is issued by the Public Records Office. More detailed criteria are applied by each Government Department to meet its own needs.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the briefing note prepared for him in support of his oral answer to the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) of 12 November 1992,Official Report, column 990. [15629]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 16 February 1996]: This document was submitted as evidence to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document which he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible. Documents which Sir Richard does not consider relevant to his report and which contain internal discussion and advice will not be made available.