HC Deb 23 February 1999 vol 326 cc230-1W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 10 February 1999,Official Report, column 313, what is his policy towards each of the criticisms of the Civil Service set out in the second report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Sierra Leone (HC116 of Session 1998–99). [71687]

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Prime Minister if he will review the guidelines for the management of Departments by Ministers following the publication of the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone (HC116 of Session 1998–99). [71828]

The Prime Minister

A formal reply to the Foreign Affairs Committee Report HC116 is being prepared by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and will be submitted to Parliament in due course.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the statement by the Foreign Secretary that the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone uncovered no evidence which was not contained in the Legg report and if this statement will be included in the formal Government response to the report. [71826]

The Prime Minister

I agree with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. As I told the House on 10 February 1999,Official Report, columns 313–14, the facts to which the Foreign Affairs Committee Report drew attention had already been covered by Sir Thomas Legg's inquiry, which confirmed that there was no conspiracy or cover up. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is preparing a formal reply to the Report which it will be submitting to Parliament shortly.

Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Prime Minister on what date and at what time(a) he, (b) other departmental Ministers and (c) his officials first had access to the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone. [72603]

The Prime Minister

My Office received advance embargoed copies of the report from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at approximately 0830 hours on Tuesday 9 February 1999.