HC Deb 22 January 1997 vol 288 cc600-1W
Mr. Sykes

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress on the Government's response to the recommendations made by Sir Richard Scott following his inquiry into the export of arms and arms-related goods to Iraq. [12443]

Mr. Freeman

Consideration of the Government's response to all recommendations in Sir Richard Scott's report is virtually complete. A summary of the responses is set out in the table.

Issue Scott Report section Action
(a) Inquiry Procedures K1 Completed—The Government referred Sir Richard Scott's recommendations on public inquiries to the independent Council on Tribunals, following a period of public consultation. The Lord Chancellor, in a statement to the House on 21 November [WA 149] accepted the Council's advice and said that it will be of considerable value when setting up inquiries. Copies of the advice were placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
(b) Export Controls and Licensing Procedures K2 and K3 Continuing—The President of the Board of Trade issued a public consultation document on the power of Government to control strategic exports and licensing procedures on 24 July. It was announced by way of a written Parliamentary answer [WA 4811, and copies of the consultation document were placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The closing date for receipt of comments was the end of October. The responses are currently being considered and will form part of the wider consideration by the Government of the way ahead on strategic export controls. The Foreign Secretary announced to the House on 21 January [WA 536-537] the conclusions and recommendations of the Inter-departmental review into the supply of arms of Rwanda. This work will also be taken into account in the further consideration being given to strategic exports controls. The Government is likely to need to undertake further more detailed consultation with directly interested parties as detailed proposals are developed.
(c) Role of Customs and Exercise in Export Control K4 Completed—The Government agreed to increased supervision by the Attorney General of certain Customs and Excise export prosecutions. Details were announced in a written Parliamentary Answer on 17 June [WA 337] and a paper placed in the Libraries of both Houses. On recommendations relating to Customs and Excise legislation and procedures, the Government has accepted these as they stand, or in a few cases, will meet the concerns reflected in an alternative manner. This was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a written Parliamentary

Issue Scott Report section Action
Answer on 4 July, [WA 490] and a paper providing fuller details was placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
(d) Prosecution Producers K5 Completed with the exception of one small aspect—The Government announced by the way of a written Parliamentary Answer on 6 June [WA 554-555] that the concerns raised by Sir Richard Scott would be addressed by the provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act and the code of practice to be promulgated under the Act. A paper giving fuller details was placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Booklets giving guidance to civil servants and other Crown servants on the procedure to be followed in relation to the disclosure of information relevant to an investigation or prosecution of a criminal offence will be published shortly.
(e) Public Interest Immunity K6 Completed—Following public consultation, the Government announced in the House on 18 December that the division into class and contents claims would no longer be applied by the Government and that public interest immunity would be claimed only when it was believed that disclosure would cause real damage or harm to the public interest [cols. 949–958]. A paper setting out the Government's approach was placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
(f) Use of Intelligence by Government Departments K7 Completed—A paper setting out the improvements Government departments have made, or are in the process of making, on the handling of intelligence was sent to the Intelligence and Security Committee on 14 May. The Government awaits the Report of the Committee which is expected to be published early in 1997.
(g) Informing Parliament about Arms Sales K8 Completed—Following consultation the Government announced to Parliament on 23 July [WA 212-213] that in future it would answer questions about defence exports as fully as possible. Any exceptions will meet the test in the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information" that the harm or prejudice which might arise from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making such information available. A paper providing fuller details was placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
(h) Ministerial Accountability K8 The Government provided a Memorandum to the Public Service Committee on 29 March [HC 313-III], setting out the Government's understanding of the requirements of Ministerial Accountability and the provision of information to Parliament, as part of the Committee's consideration of Ministerial Accountability and Responsibility. Following receipt of the Committee's report, the Government published its response on 7 November [WA 594] reaffirming its commitments to arrangements under which it will remain open and fully accountable. Annexed to the response [HC 67] was "New Guidance to Officials on Drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions" which makes clear that when information is refused in response to Parliamentary Questions reasons should be given relating to the exemptions laid down in the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information".