Early Day MotionHouse of CommonsBrian Leishman · Labour
Said: That this House congratulates Sergeant Niall MacKinnon, Sergeant Scott McElroy, Sergeant Anthony O’Reilly, Constable Tony Thompson and Constable Stewart Murdoch on receiving the Chief Constable’s Bravery Award; recognises their outstanding courage and professionalism in unarming and arresting a gunman in Clackmannanshire, actions which undoubtedly prevented …
Early Day MotionHouse of CommonsGraham Leadbitter · Scottish National Party
Said: That this House welcomes the Shona Donaldson Award at Spynie Care Home in Elgin, created in memory of Shona Donaldson, former Deputy Manager at the home; notes that the Award is intended to recognise a member of staff who goes above and beyond in service …
Early Day MotionHouse of CommonsLinsey Farnsworth · Labour
Said: That this House congratulates 14-year-old Hannah Reast on her selection to represent England in Under-17s indoor cricket in India; notes that Hannah is part of England’s Emerging Performance Player Pathway and has captained Derbyshire County; further notes her outstanding performance this summer in senior cricket, …
Early Day MotionHouse of CommonsWendy Chamberlain · Liberal Democrat
Said: That this House congratulates Scott & Fyfe, based in Tayport, on winning the Innovation and Technology Award, sponsored by SSEN Transmission, at the Courier Business Awards 2025; notes the company’s proud 161-year history of innovation, from its early days producing cotton and linen fabrics for …
Early Day MotionHouse of CommonsDr Scott Arthur · Labour
Said: That this House congratulates artist Chris Rutterford and the Colinton Amenity Association on the successful completion of the new mural on Cuddies Lane in Colinton, Edinburgh; recognises the mural as a significant addition to the cultural and historical landscape of the area, celebrating the 600-year-old …
Early Day MotionHouse of CommonsWendy Chamberlain · Liberal Democrat
Said: That this House congratulates St Andrews Men’s Shed for being named the East Coast (North) regional winner in the Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year Awards 2025; recognises the remarkable achievement of transforming a once-empty site at Craigtoun Country Park into a vibrant, purpose-built community …
Early Day MotionHouse of CommonsGregor Poynton · Labour
Said: That this House congratulates Livingston Football Club on marking the 30th anniversary of their identity and home in Livingston, a milestone first recognised in 1995 when the club, having relocated from Edinburgh, was renamed and firmly established at Almondvale Stadium; recognises the club’s storied history …
Early Day MotionHouse of CommonsMr Angus MacDonald · Liberal Democrat
Said: That this House congratulates Harriet Spencer and Niamh Wright, pupils at Ardnamurchan High School, on their outstanding achievements in the 2024–25 Rotary Young Writer competition; notes that Harriet won the senior category and Niamh the intermediate category at local level, before progressing to the Rotary …
The Scott Inquiry was established in November 1992 following the collapse of the Matrix Churchill prosecution, in which three company executives faced charges related to exports to Iraq. The inquiry found that government policy on defence exports to Iraq had been modified without Parliament being informed, and that Public Interest Immunity certificates had been used to withhold evidence that could have assisted the defendants' case. Sir Richard Scott's report, published in February 1996, ran to five volumes and over 1,800 pages. While the inquiry made no formal recommendations, its findings led to significant reforms in two key areas. The Export Control Act 2002 placed the export licensing regime on a statutory footing, requiring annual reports to Parliament and establishing the Committees on Arms Export Controls for ongoing scrutiny. The approach to Public Interest Immunity was reformed, with new guidance requiring ministers to balance the public interest in disclosure against potential harm rather than claiming blanket immunity for classes of documents. The inquiry also contributed to ongoing debates about ministerial accountability and the relationship between government and Parliament. The government survived the Commons vote on the report by 320 votes to 319. The Scott Inquiry remains a significant reference point in discussions about government transparency, particularly regarding the communication of policy changes to Parliament and the use of secrecy provisions in criminal proceedings.
Reforms attributed to this inquiry · AI-generated• Export Control Act 2002 established statutory framework for export licensing with requirement for annual reports to Parliament • Reformed approach to Public Interest Immunity certificates requiring ministers to balance public interest in disclosure against harm to national security • Introduction of parliamentary scrutiny mechanisms for export licensing decisions through Committees on Arms Export Controls • Establishment of clearer guidelines on when and how government policy changes should be communicated to ParliamentUnfinished business · AI-generated• The inquiry made no formal recommendations, instead presenting findings and analysis for Parliament and government to consider • Questions about individual ministerial accountability remained unresolved following the single-vote survival of the government in the Commons debate
Put the export licensing regime on a statutory footing with regular parliamentary reporting, following the Scott Inquiry's findings on the arms-to-Iraq affair.
Influence & connections
Led directly toExport control and ministerial accountability
The Scott Inquiry reformed Public Interest Immunity practice and led to the Export Control Act 2002, which put the export licensing regime on a statutory footing with parliamentary reporting.