§ Lord Trefgarneasked Her Majesty's Government:
What efforts the United Kingdom is making to deal with Iraq's remaining nuclear, chemical, biological weapons and missile capabilities?
The Earl of CaithnessWe took a prominent part in the establishment under Security Council Resolution 687 of the Special Commission to ensure that Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile capabilities are destroyed.
We continue to take an active role in supporting the Special Commission's work. We have made available: a senior British expert on chemical and biological defence matters to serve as a full-time member of the commission; three British experts for the first CW inspection in Iraq; an RAF explosives expert as adviser to the first ballistic missile inspection; one UK expert for the second IAEA inspection and two or more to take part in the third inspection. We have 72WA offered up to six inspectors to take part in the first BW inspection and we intend to reinforce our Embassy in Bahrain to liaise with the Special Commission's field office there.
We have also provided information on Iraq's weapons capabilities as well as minor items of equipment and RAF transport facilities, plus eight landrovers and trailers. Further specialised equipment and support will be provided at an initial cost of up to £1m as stated in the Answer of my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of 19th June (col. 207) in another place. The facilities at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, will be used to analyse samples taken by the inspection teams.
We shall continue to support the Special Commission in carrying out its mandate, and encourage others to do likewise. It is important that Iraq should not be allowed to retain or redevelop these weapons of mass destruction.