Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 17 March 2009.

Binyam Mohamed

Question: My Lords, will my noble friend confirm that as well as the question of individual culpability which is being considered by the Attorney-General, as she rightly said, the wider questions to which the noble Baroness, Lady Williams of Crosby, referred are being looked at in great detail by the all-party Intelligence and Security Committee, which consists of Members of both Houses including the former leader of the Liberal Democrat party, Sir Menzies Campbell? Is that not the appropriate way to ensure that our intelligence and security matters are properly considered in this democracy?

Answer: My Lords, as a former chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, along with a distinguished noble Lord on the other side, we can confirm the very significant work that that committee does. I have always been struck by the dedication of those who work on it. It must be one of the most hard-working committees that Members of either House serve on, and it has the disadvantage, from a parliamentary point of view, that none of that work is ever given recognition because, by its nature, it has to be done behind closed doors. It is incumbent on government Ministers to be open, honest and straightforward with that committee, as with the agencies. That is where we should look for further inquiries on this matter, and I am happy that my noble friend has taken this opportunity to point that out to the House.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 709 c117
Session: 2008-09
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Detainees Armed forces Intelligence services Iraq Prisoners' transfers Peacekeeping operations MI5 Terrorism Torture Afghanistan Rendition
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk