Parliament

The 20th March 2023 marks the twentieth anniversary of the beginning of the conflict in Iraq. This anniversary is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who served in the conflict. At this time, we pay particular regard to those service personnel, British, allied and Iraqi, as well as civilians who died or were wounded in the conflict in Iraq. It is also a time to reflect upon the conflict and Parliament’s role in it, and to restate the UK’s enduring commitment to support the development of a stable, prosperous and democratic future for all Iraqi people.

All of us will undoubtedly have in mind today the 179 British and allied personnel who lost their lives in the conflict. I pay tribute to them and to their bravery, and my sympathy goes out to their families for their loss. Their sacrifice and determination to make the world safer for all of us will never be forgotten. Next week Ministers from HM Government will attend commemorative events across the UK, remembering all those who served in the conflict and particularly those who gave the most. Today we have in our thoughts those service personnel that died, and those who were wounded or injured as a result of the conflict. We also remember and give thanks to all personnel of the UK armed forces who served in Iraq, and their families, who provided vital support at home whilst their loved ones were deployed.

We also have in mind the many Iraqi citizens who were killed during the conflict or who have died since in military operations, bombings, acts of terrorism or through sickness and disease. There is no doubt that the people of Iraq have faced enormous and grave challenges over the last twenty years.

As part of our remembrance, we must ensure we continue to implement the hard won and costly lessons. The UK Government has learned much from the Chilcot Inquiry and continues to draw upon it as we improve national security decision-making and implementation. The purpose of the Inquiry was to examine the United Kingdom’s involvement in the conflict in Iraq, including the way decisions were made and actions taken, to establish as accurately and reliably as possible what happened, and to identify lessons to be learned. The FCDO continues to institutionalise the Chilcot lessons learned across policy, operations and strategy so that staff are equipped to support decision-making and implementation in complex contexts.

We should also look forward. Today, the UK and Iraq share a close and enduring partnership, working together to address shared global challenges. Through the Global Coalition Against Daesh, NATO Mission Iraq and our long-term bilateral initiatives, we remain committed to Iraq in its fight to defeat Daesh and to enjoy peace and stability. We are working with the Government of Iraq to support economic reform, energy transition, human rights and freedom of religion and belief, and to mitigate the effects of climate change. These joint efforts to unlock Iraq’s immense potential, as represented by its young population, characterise the relationship in 2023.

I saw this for myself during my visit to Iraq at the end of February. There has been significant progress since 2003 but we are committed to supporting further progress and strengthening our partnership with Iraq. The UK remains committed to preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Government and people of Iraq to safeguard stability and deliver prosperity.

A number of lessons about inquiry processes were learned from the Iraq Inquiry, and government has absorbed these so that future inquiries can benefit from the experience. Government has received the report of Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Iraq Inquiry, and will be responding in due course, setting out the lessons learned.

The Chilcot Inquiry was set up by the Labour Government following consultation with other political parties and with the support of Parliament. The Government looks forward to the publication of the Inquiry’s report in June or July, in accordance with Sir John Chilcot’s most recent letter to the Prime Minister.

No.

The Iraq Inquiry, which is independent of Government, publishes its annual costs after the end of each financial year. The Inquiry’s costs for FY 2014/15 were £1,358,500, providing an average weekly cost in the last financial year of £26,125.

The Inquiry will account for its costs after the completion of its report.

A meeting between Sir Jeremy Heywood and Sir John Chilcot took place in early July. It was a constructive discussion in accordance with the Prime Minister’s letter, during which Sir John and Sir Jeremy discussed the additional assistance the Inquiry will wish to call upon in its closing stages and agreed some steps that can be taken now to assist the inquiry in its work. Sir John has confirmed it is his intention to provide the Prime Minister with a timetable for completion of the Inquiry’s work once the Maxwellisation process, a confidential process between individuals and the Inquiry, is complete.

A meeting between Sir Jeremy Heywood and Sir John Chilcot took place in early July. It was a constructive discussion in accordance with the Prime Minister’s letter, during which Sir John and Sir Jeremy discussed the additional assistance the Inquiry will wish to call upon in its closing stages and agreed some steps that can be taken now to assist the inquiry in its work. Sir John has confirmed it is his intention to provide the Prime Minister with a timetable for completion of the Inquiry’s work once the Maxwellisation process, a confidential process between individuals and the Inquiry, is complete.

An error has been identified in an answer to the written question asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon HL304 of 24 June. The information provided was as follows:

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they expect the report of the Chilcot Inquiry to be published before the summer recess; and, if not, why not.

Lord Bridges of Headley: Sir John Chilcot and the Prime Minister exchanged letters on 15 and 17 January. In his letters, Sir John said that once the essential Maxwellisation process was complete, it was his intention to provide the Prime Minister with a timetable for the completion of the Inquiry’s report.

The correct answer should have been:

''Sir John Chilcot and the Prime Minister exchanged letters on 15 and 17 June. In his letters, Sir John said that once the essential Maxwellisation process was complete, it was his intention to provide the Prime Minister with a timetable for the completion of the Inquiry’s report.''

The letters referenced are attached.

Sir John Chilcot and the Prime Minister exchanged letters on 15 and 17 January . In his letters, Sir John said that once the essential Maxwellisation process was complete, it was his intention to provide the Prime Minister with a timetable for the completion of the Inquiry’s report.

I refer the Noble Lord to the exchange of letters between the Prime Minister and Sir John Chilcot from January 2015 regarding the progress of the Inquiry. I have attached a copy for reference.

The Inquiry is independent of Government. The daily payment rates for the Chair and Members of the Inquiry, plus details of the size and cost of the Inquiry’s secretariat and office accommodation, are published on the Inquiry’s website.

The Prime Minister of the day appointed the Chair and Committee Members of the Iraq Inquiry. The Cabinet Office, as the sponsor department, is responsible for the terms of service for the Chair and Committee members of the Iraq Inquiry.

Members of the Inquiry Committee are paid a daily rate with no bonus incentives. Sir John Chilcot has said that he and his colleagues intend to deliver their report to the Prime Minister as soon as it is possible to do so.

The Maxwellisation process is a matter for the Inquiry; Sir John Chilcot has described the process as essential and confidential, and to comment further might jeopardise the confidentiality of the process. Once his report is complete, Sir John Chilcot will deliver it to the Prime Minister. It is for Government to publish the report, and once it is delivered we expect to publish without delay.

The daily fees for the Chair and Members of the Inquiry are published on the Inquiry’s website.

The Maxwellisation process is a matter for the Inquiry; Sir John Chilcot has described the process as essential and confidential, and to comment further might jeopardise the confidentiality of the process. Once his report is complete, Sir John Chilcot will deliver it to the Prime Minister. It is for Government to publish the report, and once it is delivered we expect to publish without delay.

The daily fees for the Chair and Members of the Inquiry are published on the Inquiry’s website.

The timing of Maxwellisation is a matter for the independent Inquiry.

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to Lord West of Spithead on 3 November 2014, Official Report, Column 1425. A detailed breakdown of these costs is available on the Inquiry’s website.

Members of the Inquiry are paid at the following rates: Chairman - £790 per working day; Committee members - £565 per working day. These rates have not changed since the beginning of the Inquiry.

The Chairman of the Inquiry is paid £790 per day and the members of his committee £565 per day. The Chairman and members are only paid for days that they work. These figures have not changed since the beginning of the Inquiry. In financial year 2013/14, the Committee and Advisers’ remuneration was £201,100.

I have nothing further to add to my written answer of 15 July 2014.