Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 15 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 October 2003. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 October 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason he authorised the creation of an environment intended to simulate that of hearings of the Hutton Inquiry at the Civil Service College at Sunningdale; on what date the authorisation was given; and what the cost of the exercise was; how many officials who appeared at the Hutton Inquiry were given coaching and training prior to their public appearance; and at what cost. - Includes no figures.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reason he authorised the creation of an environment intended to simulate that of hearings of the Hutton Inquiry at the Civil Service College at Sunningdale; on what date the authorisation was given; and what the cost of the exercise was; [133112] (2) how many officials who appeared at the Hutton Inquiry were given coaching and training prior to their public appearance; and at what cost. [133113] Mr. Hoon: I did not authorise the creation of any facility, at Sunningdale or elsewhere, to simulate the hearings of the Hutton Inquiry, and no Ministry of Defence officials were given coaching or training prior to their giving evidence to the Inquiry.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 411 c586W;411 c590W; 133112;133113
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Costs Civil servants Inquiries Training David Kelly Death Inquiry Civil Service College
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk