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Iran: HMS ““Cornwall””

My Lords, I have repeatedly asked, in many ways, whether there was adequate ministerial cover during the important period after the release of the sailors—which has been referred to as the ““fiasco period””—and I am always referred back to the terms of reference of the inquiries. Of course they do not cover it—unless ““learning lessons”” is sufficiently all-embracing. Will the Minister now tell the House whether there was a gap in ministerial cover and the availability of a Minister to be consulted by his staff at that time? Was there a duty Minister, or is what has been referred to in the Statement as the ““abstention of judgment”” the nearest we can get to an admission that no one was on duty?