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Service Prosecutions
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will investigate why the transcript of the interview which the Metropolitan Police held with Corporal Blair was not included in the material that was placed before the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney-General at the time a decision was made to prosecute Trooper Williams in the civil courts. [HL2118]
The Attorney-General (Lord Goldsmith): The decision to prosecute Trooper Williams was made by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on 25 August 2004. The material upon which it was based included a statement compiled from the interview but not the transcript of the interview itself which was not forwarded by the Metropolitan Police to the CPS until 15 September 2004. I did not make the decision to prosecute.
As a result, the transcript was not submitted to either myself or the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at that stage.
21 Nov 2005 : Column WA195
When, shortly thereafter, the transcript was sent to the CPS the reviewing lawyer reviewed the decision to prosecute in light of the contents of the interview and concluded its contents did not affect the decision to prosecute.
The transcript of interview was first formally received into the DPP's private office on or about 21 February 2005 but the DPP believes that he discussed the content of the interview with leading counsel prior to 21 February 2005 on a date unknown.
My office was first provided with a copy of the transcript on 14 March 2005 which was requested because it had been referred to by the defence on their application.
World Trade Organisation
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
21 Nov 2005 : Column WA196- Trade Organisation's Hong Kong December summit. [HL2229]
Lord Triesman: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given by my right honourable friend the Minister for Europe (Douglas Alexander) to the Member for Gravesham (Adam Holloway) on 2 Nov 2005 (Official Report, Commons, col. 1092W). A successful, pro-development outcome to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference in Hong Kong in December remains a UK presidency priority. My department and other relevant government departments are taking every opportunity to discuss the WTO round with our EU partners, the European Commission and other WTO members and stakeholders. EU Foreign Ministers discussed the issue at the 21-22 November General Affairs and External Relations Council. EU Trade Ministers also discussed the WTO round during their informal meeting on 21 November. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta from 25–27 November will be an opportunity for discussion of the trade round by heads of state and government.
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