§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Prime Minister what steps he will take as a result of the finding of the Scott inquiry that the letter written to the hon. Member referred to in paragraph D.4.43 concerning changes in the Government's policy on the supply of arms to Iraq was misleading. [16956]
The Deputy Prime MinisterI have been asked to reply.
21WThe Government continue to take the view that the Howe guidelines were not changed. My right hon. Friend does not consider that further action is necessary.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Prime Minister what action he proposes in respect of Scott's recommendation, K8.8, that the refusal to answer parliamentary questions on sales of arms or defence-related equipment to other countries should be re-examined. [17054]
The Deputy Prime MinisterI have been asked to reply.
As my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade made clear in his speech in the House on 26 February, the Government will be considering the extent to which information about overseas defence sales can be publicly disclosed. A background note on "Ministerial Accountability and the Release of Information on Defence Related Exports" has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Prime Minister if he accepts the observation contained in the Scott report, section K3.3, that the DTI should not continue to be the export licensing authority in respect of goods whose export is primarily the policy concern of some other Department; and if he will make a statement. [17867]
The Deputy Prime MinsterI have been asked to reply.
Sir Richard Scott recommends that consideration should be given as to whether the DTI should continue to be the export licence authority for the good concerned. The Government accept this and propose to publish a consultation paper on export control legislation and procedures. We will reach decisions on particular issues in the light of comments received, in response to the consultation paper.
§ Mr. HallTo ask the Prime Minister how many civil servants had direct sight of the Scott report as of 13 February. [15705]
The Deputy Prime Minister[holding answer 16 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply.
As of 13 February, only those required to assist the Government in preparing their response to the report, as agreed between the Government and the Scott inquiry.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Prime Minister what action he will take in response to the conclusion in section K4.1 of the Scott report that the role of Customs and Excise in policing and prosecuting export control offences is anomalous; and if he will make a statement. [17820]
The Deputy Prime Minister[holding answer 27 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply.
As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade told the House in his speech during the debate on a motion for the adjournment of 26 February 1996, Official Report, column 597, the Government accept that there are benefits in Sir Richard Scott's recommendation that in future the role of the Attorney-General should include the exercise of increased supervision of Customs and Excise prosecutions in relation to export control matters. The Government are urgently developing proposals on the 22W precise nature and scope of the increased supervision, and the Attorney-General will be reporting to the House as soon as possible.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister if he will enumerate and detail the shortcomings of Government in relation to the Scott report to which he referred during Prime Minister's Question Time on 22 February. [17670]
The Deputy Prime Minister[holding answer 27 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to the speech made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on Monday 26 February, Official Report, column 589.