§ Sir Norman FowlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the independent investigator appointed to inquire into the unauthorised publication of extracts from the Macpherson report will have the power to interview persons who have had access to the report outside direct Government employment; and if he will make a statement. [74664]
§ Mr. StrawThe conduct of the inquiry, including the question of who should be interviewed, is a matter for the investigator to determine.
§ Sir Norman FowlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if Ministers who had access to the Macpherson report prior to 21 February will be interviewed in the leak investigation, instituted by his Permanent Secretary; and if he will make a statement; [74666]
(2) if (a) officials and (b) ministerial advisers who had access to the Macpherson report prior to 21 February will be interviewed by the leak investigation instituted by his Permanent Secretary; and if he will make a statement. [74668]
§ Mr. StrawIt would not be in the interests of the leak investigation now under way to give these details.
§ Sir Norman FowlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the terms of reference of the leaks investigation instituted by his Permanent Secretary into the unauthorised publication of extracts from the Macpherson report; and if he will make a statement. [74667]
§ Mr. StrawThe independent investigator has been asked by my Permanent Secretary to establish who was responsible for the leak and what lessons might be learned for the future.