§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct Sir Anthony Hammond QC to ascertain whether a meeting took place in August 1998 between the right hon. Member for Hartlepool and Mr. S. P. Hinduja and Mr. G. P. Hinduja. [147997]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 30 January 2001]: As has been made clear, all relevant information will be made available to Sir Anthony Hammond QC.
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§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct Sir Anthony Hammond QC to investigate the accuracy of the parliamentary answers given on 3 December 1998 by the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), to the hon. Member for Christchurch about meetings between the right hon. Member for Hartlepool and Mr. S. P. Hinduja and Mr. G. P. Hinduja. [147998]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 30 January 2001]: I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 3 December 1998, Official Report, column 1040.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Prime Minister on what date a recommendation for an honour for one of the Hinduja brothers was received from an hon. Member. [148277]
§ The Prime MinisterIt is established practice under section 8(c) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to information, opinions and assessments given in relation to recommendations for honours.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister if the report produced by Sir Anthony Hammond will contain unedited records of all(a) telephone calls, (b) letters and (c) other communications involving ministers relating to (i) the application for nationality made by the Hinduja brothers and (ii) the sponsorship of the Faith Zone at the Millennium Dome. [148365]
§ The Prime MinisterThe terms of reference of Sir Anthony Hammond's review are set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) of 29 January 2001,Official Report, column 70W (UIN 147716 and 147717). It is for Sir Anthony Hammond to decide what is included in his report to me.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to provide substantive answers to parliamentary questions concerning the Hinduja brothers in advance of the publication of Sir Anthony Hammond's report. [148366]
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to hon. Members by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 30 January 2001,Official Report, column 168W.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister if the inquiry being undertaken by Sir Anthony Hammond will establish the level of donations by the Hinduja brothers to political parties since 1990. [148369]
§ The Prime MinisterNo. The terms of reference have been set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 29 January,Official Report, column 70W (UIN 147716 and 147717).
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister what criteria he applied in deciding that Sir Anthony Hammond should undertake the recently established inquiry. [148368]
§ The Prime MinisterIn establishing an inquiry, the individual or team appointed to conduct the inquiry must be impartial, be able to weigh evidence within the particular circumstances of the case, and have the experience and status to command respect. I had all these criteria in mind in appointing Sir Anthony Hammond QC.
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§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister on what basis information held by the security services on the Hinduja brothers will be available to Sir Anthony Hammond. [148370]
§ The Prime MinisterSir Anthony Hammond will be provided with access to information held by the security and intelligence agencies if this is relevant to his review.