Major to give evidence

The Prime Minister said yesterday that he would give evidence to the Scott inquiry into arms exports to Iraq. John Major, who gave his agreement in a letter to Lord Justice Scott, is due to appear before the inquiry next January and is likely to be questioned about his three months as Foreign Secretary in 1989. He may also be questioned about the early months of his premiership, since the inquiry is examining government actions up to the end of 1990.

Baroness Thatcher is expected to appear towards the end of the year, and Timothy Renton, David Mellor and William Waldegrave will be among a number of other present and past ministers who will give evidence.