§ Sir Norman FowlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 22 February 1999,Official Report, columns 21–34, if he will describe the procedure to be used in the inquiry by his Permanent Secretary into the unauthorised publication of extracts from the Macpherson report; when he expects the inquiry to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [73518]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 26 February 1999]My Permanent Secretary has instituted a leak investigation under well established procedures. An independent investigator will be assisted by my Department's Security Unit. He will report in the first instance to the Permanent Secretary, who will report to me. It is not known how long the investigation will take. I will inform the House of its outcome in due course.
§ Sir Norman FowlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 22 February 1999,Official Report, columns 21–34, how many copies were in circulation of the Macpherson report prior to 21 February and who had access to them; what steps were taken to preserve the security of the report; and if he will make a statement. [73525]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 26 February 1999]It would not be in the interests of the investigation now under way into the leak of parts of Sir William Macpherson's Report on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry to give these details. I will inform the House of the outcome of that investigation in due course.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish in full the diary of official appointments for the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), from 15 February to 21 February; [73713]
567W(2) if he will list those journalists who entered the Home Office to meet Ministers or officials during the period 15 February to 21 February; [73710]
(3) if he will list the journalists met by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), in his official capacity in (a) the Home Office and (b) his room at the House from 15 February to 21 February; [73712]
(4) if he will list all those questioned by the leak inquiry team on the Macpherson report; [73734]
(5) which Home Office Ministers were provided with a full copy of the Macpherson report prior to 21 February; on what date each was given the copy; and if any Ministers were given extra copies; [73711]
(6) if he will list those journalists granted a pass to visit ministers in the Home Office in the period 15 February to 21 February. [73709]
§ Sir Brian MawhinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each day from his receipt of Sir William Macpherson's report on Stephen Lawrence's death of 21 February, how many copies were out of the Department and in whose possession each copy resided while out of the Department. [73800]
§ Mr. StrawIt would not be in the interests of the investigation now under way into the leak of parts of Sir William Macpherson's Report on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry to give these details.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report on the leak inquiry on the Macpherson report. [73733]
§ Mr. StrawThere is no fixed length of time for the leak investigation; the investigating officer will make his report as soon as he is able to do so.