Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 March 2012.

Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will release the letter from the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service mentioned on page 48 of the Cabinet Secretary's review of papers relating to the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, regarding the medical tests that revealed al-Megrahi had terminal cancer; what was the date of that letter; and whether they agree with the statement by the Foreign Secretary on 27 July 2011 that the medical advice that led to the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was ““pretty much worthless””.

Answer: I refer the noble Lord to the Answers given to him on 1 March (Official Report, col. WA 287) and 1 April 2011 (Official Report, col. WA 309), which refer to the reasons why some information referred to in the Cabinet Secretary's report is not being released. The decision to release Mr Megrahi on compassionate grounds was made by the Scottish Government on the basis of the medical information available to them at the time. I share the observation made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), that the medical advice has not been borne out in practice.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 16004; 736 c37-8WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Abdelbaset al-Megrahi
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
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Subjects: Disclosure of information Bombings Prisoners' release Lockerbie Prostate cancer Libya Scottish Prison Service al Megrahi, Abdelbasit Ali Mohmed
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk