RT HON JACQUI SMITH MP, MR DAVID FORD AND MS JILL TAN

19 FEBRUARY 2008

  Q139 Chairman: Home Secretary, can I thank you very much for coming to give evidence today on the Government's counter-terrorism proposals, and can I place on record my thanks to you. You have always been very willing to come in to speak to the Committee on issues. Before we get on to counter-terrorism, there are a number of topical issues that we also wish to raise. We were hoping to question you on the publication of the Rose Report, which the Lord Chancellor said would be available today. He talked about it being done within two weeks. When do you anticipate the Rose Report being published?

  Jacqui Smith: It has not been delivered to us yet. I think the Justice Secretary, when he made his statement on 4 February, said that Sir Christopher had agreed to conduct the inquiry as quickly as possible. It is obviously important that that is a thorough investigation of the facts. I am sure that Sir Christopher will take the time needed to establish those facts and delivery will be a matter for him, but, as the Justice Secretary also said, when we receive the report we will obviously make that available to the House and make sure there is another parliamentary statement to go with it.