§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Attorney-General had access to intelligence related to weapons of mass destruction at any stage after the provision of the advice referred to in paragraph 374 of the Lord Butler of Brockwell's review of intelligence on weapons of mass destruction. [HL3871]
§ The Attorney-General (Lord Goldsmith)As stated in paragraph 367 of the Butler report, I was briefed on relevant intelligence issues in September 2002 and February 2003. In addition, I have seen a number of intelligence assessments produced by the Joint Intelligence Committee subsequent to the initial advice referred to in paragraph 374 of the Report.
§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the meetings and discussions involving the Attorney-General referred to in paragraph 377 of the Lord Butler of Brockwell's Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction stating the date of each discussion; who was present; or participated, in the conversations; and whether minutes were kept. [HL3874]
§ Lord GoldsmithThe information relating to the dates of and participants in the meetings concerns internal discussion and advice is withheld under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Records were kept of some of these discussions.
§ Earl Attleeasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what date the advice given by the Attorney-General in paragraph 374 of the Lord Butler of Brockwell's Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction was given; whether he had access to intelligence, including intelligence related to weapons of mass destruction, at that time, and, if not, how the Attorney-General assessed whether or not there was an imminent threat to the United Kingdom. [HL3878]
§ Lord GoldsmithThe information requested relating to the date of my legal advice referred to in paragraph 374 of the Butler Report concerns internal discussion and advice and is withheld under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Prior to giving this advice I had seen some intelligence assessments relating to Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction. As stated in 96WA paragraph 374 of the Butler Report, I concluded that on the basis of the information I had seen, there would be no justification for the use of force against Iraq on grounds of self-defence against an imminent threat.
§ Earl Attleeasked Her Majesty's Government:
In what ministerial capacity the Lord Falconer of Thoroton was present at the meeting of 13 March referred to in paragraph 381 of the Lord Butler of Brockwell's Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction. [HL3877]
§ The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos)Members of the Government have regular meetings and discussions with ministerial colleagues and others on a wide range of subjects.
§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who in the Prime Minister's office asked the Attorney-General to put his view of the legal position in writing, as referred to in paragraph 378 of the Lord Butler of Brockwell's Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction; why his previous advice was considered insufficient by No. 10; and whether the Prime Minister was aware of the request. [HL3872]
§ Baroness AmosFollowing the Attorney-General's meeting with Jonathan Powell, Sir David Manning and Baroness Morgan on 28 February 2003, Baroness Morgan, on behalf of the Prime Minister, asked the Attorney-General to provide his advice in writing.
§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish in full the correspondence quoted in part in paragraphs 383 and 384 of the Lord Butler of Brockwell's Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction. [HL3873]
§ Baroness AmosTo the extent that parts of the correspondence referred to in paragraph 383 of the Butler report have not been disclosed, it is subject to legal professional privilege and therefore withheld under exemption 4 of the code of practice on access to government information. The substance of the letter from the Prime Minister's Private Secretary to the Legal Secretary to the Attorney-General is set out in paragraph 384.
§ Earl Attleeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who was present at the meeting of 13 March referred to in paragraph 381 of the Lord Butler of Brockwell's Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction; what was the purpose of the meeting; who convened it; whether minutes were kept; and whether the advice given by the Attorney-General referred to in paragraph 374 of the report was discussed. [HL3875]
97WA
§ Baroness AmosAs set out in the Butler report the meeting on 13 March 2003 was attended by the Attorney-General, Lord Falconer, and Baroness Morgan. No record of the meeting was made, but the Attorney-General's view of the legal position was set out in a Written Answer in Parliament on 17 March 2003.
§ Earl Attleeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who was present at the Meeting of 28 February referred to in paragraph 378 of the Lord Butler of Brockwell's Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Muss Destruction; what was the purpose of the Meeting; who convened it; whether minutes were kept; and whether the advice given by the Attorney-General on 7 March 2003 was discussed. [HL3876]
§ Baroness AmosAs set out in the Butler report, the meeting on 28 February 2003 was attended by the Attorney-General, Jonathan Powell, Sir David Manning and Baroness Morgan. No record of the meeting was made.