§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what invitation the Crown Office had from the International Bar Association to be represented at its conference on Lockerbie on 9 September; and why he declined. [40706]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate, or in his place a representative from the Crown Office, did receive an invitation to attend this conference. It was, however, inappropriate for my noble and learned Friend, as head of the independent prosecution service in Scotland or anyone on his behalf, to attend the conference. The Government's position on the trial of those accused of the Lockerbie bombing is, in any event, well known. Trial of the two Libyan accused should be in Scotland or the United States.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what initiatives between July and October 1996 the Crown Office has taken to resolve the issues raised by the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie. [38901]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Crown Office has maintained its preparedness for the trial of the two accused in the Lockerbie case.