Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 April 2005. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Thursday, 7 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, what requests he has received from the Parliamentary Ombudsman to release details of when Ministers first sought advice on the legality of military action to invade Iraq; what response was made; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received from the parliamentary ombudsman to release details of when Ministers first sought advice on the legality of military action to invade Iraq; what response was made; and if he will make a statement. [224001] Mr. Rammell: We have received a report from the ombudsman dated 11 February 2005, recommending that we release the date on which the Government first sought legal advice about the legality of military action against Iraq to the noble Lord, Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC. However, we have declined to comply with this recommendation on the grounds that the release of this information would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1775W;432 c1771W; 224001
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Disclosure of information Freedom of information Legal opinion Iraq conflict
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk