CONDUCT OF LORD BUTLER OF BROCKWELL

Early day motion 540, tabled 3 February 2004 by Llew Smith (Labour). Signed by 27 members.

That this House notes that Lord Butler of Brockwell, as Cabinet Secretary, told the Scott Inquiry when asked about the less than full information being provided in parliamentary answers, 'You have to be selective about the facts', and commented to the Scott Inquiry, on parliamentary answers, 'It was an accurate but incomplete answer. The purpose of it was to give an answer which itself was true. It did not give the full picture. It was half an answer'; and believes that this attitude shown by Lord Butler of Brockwell towards the importance of the provision of proper accurate information to Parliament undermines his credibility as a fair and impartial chairman for the Weapons of Mass Destruction Intelligence Inquiry.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2.