§ Sir Menzies CampbellTo ask the Prime Minister what communications the Government received from the United States Administration about the legality in international law of the Iraq war; and if he will make a statement. [161701]
§ The Prime MinisterWe were in frequent contact with the United States and other countries throughout the period leading up to the conflict, before and after the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 (2002).
560W
§ Sir Menzies CampbellTo ask the Prime Minister when the Government first formed the view that a second UN resolution was not required to ensure the legality of the Iraq war; and if he will make a statement. [161702]
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer the Solicitor-General gave to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) on 17 March 2003,Official Report, column 515–16W.
As the written answer on 17 March 2003 made clear, and is self evident in the text of United Nations Security Council resolution 1441(2002) of 8 November 2002, all that was required was reporting to and discussion by the Security Council of Iraq's failures, but not an express further decision to authorise force.
§ Sir Menzies CampbellTo ask the Prime Minister whether legal advisers other than law officers of the Crown were involved in the preparation and scrutiny of the September 2002 dossier; and if he will make a statement. [161703]
§ The Prime MinisterIt is not the practice to disclose whether any particular legal advice was given, and if so by whom, on specific occasions.