The main Scott findings at a glance

. Some ministers given Scott report eight days ago to prepare answers to parliamentary, questions.

. Some ministers given Scott report eight days ago to prepare answers to parliamentary, questions.

. Government ministers found guilty of "deliberately" withholding information from parliament of a secret shift in policy towards arms exports to Iraq.

. Decision, by three ministers including the now Treasury Chief Secretary, Mr William Waldegrave prevented details of a relaxation of guidelines being revealed to MPs to prevent a public outcry.

. Following the Iran Iraq ceasefire in 1988, government policy towards the export of "non lethal military goods" changed in a way that" should have been reported to Commons.

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. No British arms reached either Iraq or Iran during the conflict in the 1980s.

. Report highlights "a dangerous confusion" between the law on export controls and government policy on export controls.

. Recommendation that HM Customs should lose its complete autonomy to act as a prosecuting authority in relation to export controls offences.

. Prime minister retains full confidence in both Mr Waldegrave and the Attorney General, Sir Nicholas Lyell.

. Government launched damage limitation exercise aimed at defending both Mr Waldegrave and Sir Nicholas Lyell against resignation calls.

. Mr Waldegrave has no plans to resign.

. Heads of Whitehall departments to examine the report in detail and reach their own conclusions about, the actions of their officials.

. Opposition challenged government to "dismiss those ministers who, in the opinion of Sir Richard Scott, failed to discharge the obligation of ministerial responsibility to this House".