Chilcot Inquiry Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office
Tuesday 1st July 2014

(9 years, 10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Wallace of Saltaire Portrait Lord Wallace of Saltaire
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My Lords, we want to publish as soon as we can, and before we descend into the election campaign.

Lord Judd Portrait Lord Judd (Lab)
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My Lords, the Minister is, above all, an honourable man—of that I am totally convinced. Will he give the House an unequivocal assurance that no Government of whom he is a part will allow the publication date to become part of political tactics in the run-up to the general election?

Lord Wallace of Saltaire Portrait Lord Wallace of Saltaire
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My Lords, we have already agreed that the Government are well aware that it is highly undesirable that publication should run into the election campaign. I stated clearly that I share the views of the noble Lord, Lord Owen, on what that means as regards publication. That is part of the context in which we are operating.