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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 24 June 2003
PRIME MINISTER
Chechnya
Bob Russell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise with President Putin during his visit to the UK (a) the general situation in Chechnya and (b) the safety of Chechens deported from the UK to the Russian Federation. [121505]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Blunt) at Prime Minister's Questions on 18 June 2003, Official Report, column 355.
Iraq
Llew Smith: To 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 Minister: This 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 Winnick: To 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 Minister: I 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. Dalyell: To 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 Minister: In 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 otherwise
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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 Stanley: To 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 Minister: This 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 Stanley: To 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]
Sir John Stanley: To 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 Minister: On 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 Stanley: To 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 Minister: I 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 Stanley: To 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]
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The Prime Minister: The 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."
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.
Mental Health
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Prime Minister how many of his staff retired on medical grounds due to mental health problems in the last year. [111957]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) gave him today.
Older People
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the role of Cabinet-level champion for older people; and if he will make a statement. [121017]
The Prime Minister: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions chairs the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Older People in co-ordinating the Government's policies affecting older people.
The Government are committed to delivering public services to older people. This includes:
- Free NHS prescriptions and eye tests for anyone over 60;
Free breast screening for women aged 50 to 65 being extended to all women up to the age of 70 by 2004;
Winter fuel payments for everyone over 60, to provide help towards the extra costs of keeping warm in winter;
The Warm Front scheme, previously known as the Home Energy Efficiency Grant, providing grant funding to people over 60 on disability or income-related benefits to assist with heating and insulation improvements to their homes;
Local bus travel being made more affordable through half-fare minimum concessionary fares provision for pensioners;
Free TV licences for anyone over 75.
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ageism in the workplace, to prepare for legislation in 2006. In October the new pension credit will offer a secure minimum income and savings incentive for millions of existing pensioners.
Scottish Parliament
Pete Wishart: To ask the Prime Minister which members of the Government were responsible for choosing the site of the Scottish Parliament when this matter was considered prior to the transfer of responsibilities to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body. [119884]
The Prime Minister: Information relating to internal advice and decisions is not disclosed under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about central Government's involvement in planning the Scottish Parliament building prior to the transfer of responsibility to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body. [119885]
The Prime Minister: The Government were responsible for decisions relating to the Scottish Parliament before 1 July 1999. Responsibility then transferred to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body.
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