To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate an independent inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse on the part of staff contracted to work at HM embassy, Baghdad. (205261)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was made aware of these allegations in June 2007. The complainants were interviewed promptly and in detail by senior members of our embassy staff. However, as the allegations were made both by and against employees of a company contracted by the FCO, we asked the company concerned to send staff from its UK office to take forward the investigation. They did so thoroughly and professionally in June 2007 and we accepted their conclusions and recommendations. We have since reviewed this decision and have concluded that there are no grounds for reopening the case.