§ Llew SmithTo ask the Prime Minister when he first read the dossier, "Iraq—its Infrastructure of Concealment, Deception and Intimidation", released on 3 February 2003; what advance notice the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had of this dossier before publication; and whether a(a) draft and (b) final version of the dossier was circulated to Members of the Cabinet prior to publication. [120790]
§ The Prime MinisterThis was a briefing paper for the media that had been commissioned by a cross-departmental Iraqi communications group chaired by my Director of Communications. It was issued by the Downing Street Press Office with my authorisation in the normal way. A copy was placed in the Library of the House for the information of right hon. and hon. Members.
§ David WinnickTo ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with the US President measures for immediate progress in(a) the provision of essential services, (b) the payment of salaries and (c) other related matters in the administration of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [121414]
§ The Prime MinisterI am in regular touch with President Bush on all aspects of reconstruction in Iraq. We are working closely with our Coalition partners, the UN and the international community under UNSCR 1483 to provide the basis for a democratic and prosperous future for the people of Iraq.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2003,Official Report, column 164W, on Tariq Aziz, under what powers Tariq Aziz is held; and what time limits there are to holding him in custody without charge. [121462]
§ The Prime MinisterIn accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949, Occupying Powers are entitled to detain individuals in a variety of circumstances, including where those individuals are suspected of criminal conduct or where they otherwise654W pose a security risk. Since Tariq Aziz is currently in US custody, issues relating to his detention are a matter for the US.
§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Prime Minister whether he saw the document "Iraq—its infrastructure of concealment, deception and intimidation"(a) in draft and (b) in final form before it was made public. [121558]
§ The Prime MinisterThis was a briefing paper for the media that had been commissioned by a cross-departmental Iraqi communications group, chaired by my Director of Communications. It was issued by the Downing Street Press Office with my authorisation in the normal way. A copy was placed in the Library of the House for the information of right hon. and hon. Members.
§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Prime Minister whether the document "Iraq—its infrastructure of concealment, deception and intimidation" was seen by the Cabinet Secretary(a) in draft and (b) in final form before it was made public. [121560]
§ The Prime MinisterNo.
§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Prime Minister whether, at the time he made his statement on Iraq on 3 February 2003,Official Report, columns 21–31, he had been informed of the nature of the non-intelligence sources used to compile the document, "Iraq—its Infrastructure of Concealment, Deception and Intimidation". [121564]
§ The Prime MinisterOn the front page of the briefing paper it made clear that
This report draws upon a number of sources, including intelligence material".I refer the right hon. Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith) on 10 February 2003, Official Report, column 583W.
§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Prime Minister whether, at the time he made his statement on Iraq on 3 February 2003,Official Report, columns 21–38, he had been informed of which officials in his Prime Ministerial Department were involved in compiling the document, "Iraq—its Infrastructure of Concealment, Deception and Intimidation". [121565]
§ The Prime MinisterI was aware that the briefing paper for the media had been commissioned by a cross-departmental Iraqi communications group, chaired by my Director of Communications. It was drafted by officials in the Communication and Information Centre and Number 10 officials were consulted in the normal way.
§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Prime Minister whether the document "Iraq—its infrastructure of concealment, deception and intimidation" was seen by the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee(a) in draft and (b) in final form before it was made public. [121559]
655W
§ The Prime MinisterThe JIC chairman did not see the document either in draft or in final form. The Intelligence and Security Committee have already looked into this matter. In their report published on 10 June 2003 they concluded that
We have been assured that systems have now been put in place to ensure that this cannot happen again, in that the JIC Chairman endorses any material on behalf of the intelligence community prior to publication.The Government have already put the appropriate mechanisms in place to ensure that the correct procedures will be followed in the future.
However on this occasion it is important to be clear that the intelligence material included in the briefing paper was provided by the relevant intelligence agencies and authorised for use in the public domain by those agencies.