HC Deb 10 March 1999 vol 327 cc276-7W
Sir Norman Fowler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if(a) he and (b) his officials had seen a copy of the edition of The Sunday Telegraph of 21 February containing a number of paragraphs from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report before he sought an injunction against that paper; and if he will make a statement. [75819]

Mr. Straw

No. Neither I nor my officials had seen a copy ofThe Sunday Telegraph of 21 February before I sought an injunction against that paper. I explained the circumstances and the information available to me, which led me to seek an injunction, in my oral statement to the House on 22 February 1999, Official Report, columns 21–34.

Sir Norman Fowler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what time on 20 February he informed the Minister of State, Home Office, the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), that he intended to seek an injunction againstThe Sunday Telegraph; and if he will make a statement. [75817]

Mr. Straw

The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), was informed by a Private Secretary at around 8.30pm on Saturday 20 February that I intended to seek an injunction againstThe Sunday Telegraph.

Sir Norman Fowler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what time on 20 February he informed the Prime Minister's Office he intended to seek an injunction againstThe Sunday Telegraph; and if he will make a statement. [75816]

Mr. Straw

The Prime Minister's Office was informed around 7pm on Saturday 20 February that I intended to seek an injunction againstThe Sunday Telegraph.

Sir Norman Fowler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what time on 20 February he applied for an injunction againstThe Sunday Telegraph; and if he will make a statement. [75818]

Mr. Straw

The application was made by telephone by Counsel acting on my behalf between 8pm and 8.15pm on the evening of Saturday 20 February. I made an oral statement to the House on 22 February 1999,Official Report, columns 21–34.