Written question asked by Lord Hague of Richmond (Conservative) on Monday, 12 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 December 2005. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Monday, 19 December 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Airspace (Extraordinary Renditions)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date (a) he and (b) his officials first became aware of allegations that the United States was using civil aircraft for the purpose of the rendition of terrorist suspects.

Answer: As the US Secretary of State, Condaleeza Rice, made clear in her statement of 5 December 2005, the United States and other countries have for decades used ““renditions”” to transport terrorist suspects from the country in which they were captured to their home country or to other countries where they can be questioned, held or brought to justice. As to the current allegations about rendition, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and his officials became aware of them when they appeared in the media.

Secondary information