Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Thursday, 3 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many lawyers chosen by Saddam Hussein have been able to meet him in confidence, as required by international law, since his arrest.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many lawyers chosen by Saddam Hussein have been able to meet him in confidence, as required by international law, since his arrest. [220819] Mr. Rammell: Saddam Hussein is a criminal detainee and is liable to prosecution under the Iraqi criminal justice system. He was transferred into the Iraqi criminal justice system on 1 July 2004, and is currently awaiting trial. At the request of Prime Minster Allawi, the US will maintain physical custody of Saddam Hussein until such time as the Iraqi Correctional Service is able to provide for his safe and secure detention. The US authorities have told us that Saddam Hussein has seen his lawyer on each occasion that he has made a request. Thus far he has met one lawyer one time for several hours, in confidence. Neither he nor his lawyer of record have made any further requests to meet. Procedures are in place to allow him lawyer visits on request.

Secondary information