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Terrorism: Rendition

My Lords, will the Minister clarify something for me? Having listened carefully to the Statement, I am not clear whether he is saying that these events took place and that the Americans forgot either to tell us or ask us, or that they took place and that the Americans did tell or ask us, and that this Government have just lost another file. Which answer should we believe from this Statement? Whichever it is, as somebody who has for 30 years been a strong advocate of the special relationship, the Minister has demonstrated that assurances from both Governments cannot be relied on in this area. Why, then, is he so reluctant to pursue an independent assessment that might provide an assurance that everybody could rely on?