Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Wednesday, 1 March 2006 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: I associate my right hon. and hon. Friends with the expressions of sympathy that the Prime Minister made at the beginning and extend our good wishes to the Speaker for a speedy return. The Prime Minister recently described Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay as an anomaly that would have to be dealt with sooner or later. When will it be dealt with—sooner, or later?

Answer: As I said, I hope that a judicial process can be put in place that means that Guantanamo Bay can close, as I think it should for the reasons that I have given. However, the reason why I always qualify my answer on this issue is as follows. This arose out of the worst terrorist act that the world has ever known, in which 3,000 totally innocent people lost their lives in New York. The people who were picked up in Afghanistan were engaged in helping the reactionary forces there to defeat American and British troops. So I agree that Guantanamo Bay is an anomaly, which is why it has to end, but I am afraid that when I answer questions on it, I will always draw attention to the circumstances in which it was introduced.

Secondary information