§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when Sir William Stewart first indicated the likely contents of his report and the conclusions of the inquiry into mobile telephone emissions to officials in his Department; and when this information was made known to ministers. [122334]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 16 May 2000]: From 1 November 1999, the Government publicly stated that,
Officials of the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry are observers at the Group's meetings while it is taking evidence and may also be observers when the Group considers, in private, its conclusions and recommendations for the report. Such information will not be released outside Government".Officials saw draft conclusions and recommendations which were being formulated by Sir William Stewart and members of the group during the period to 23 March. Ministers did not see these drafts, nor were they briefed on their contents. Officials were not present for the final deliberations of the Group nor did they see the final set of conclusions and recommendations. Ministers and officials took receipt of the completed report on 3 May 2000.