§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on recent discussions she has held with(a) the UN, (b) the EU and (c) the United States Government on the reconstruction of Iraq. [116269]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 3 June 2003]: I have had no recent discussions with either the UN or the EU on the reconstruction of Iraq.
As I informed the hon. Member on 1 April 2003, Official Report, column 624W I have discussed post-conflict issues with Andrew Natsios of US AID.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many requests for assistance with tendering for business in Iraq her Department has received from UK companies. [116270]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 3 June 2003]: British Trade International has received hundreds of requests for advice from UK companies on how they might pursue contract opportunities in Iraq. We have almost 1,000 companies registered on our Iraq database.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of her Department's contribution to assisting UK businesses who have registered interest in contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq. [116272]
§ Ms HewittA key objective of the Department has been to help position UK companies to ensure that their expertise and knowledge of the Middle East region is put to the fullest possible use in the redevelopment of Iraq.
The hon. Member is aware of the main activities we have undertaken to assist companies, including our discussions with the US authorities. At my request, British Trade International set up an Industry Working Group, which will act as a channel of communication to industry in our work to help companies access opportunities. We have a database of nearly 1,000 UK companies interested in working in Iraq and to whom we send mailshot updates. We also held a joint seminar with the US authorities in London on 23 May 2003, which presented an excellent opportunity for UK companies to meet key US departments and contractors. Feedback received from members of the Industry Working Group and other has so far been 536W positive. The redevelopment of Iraq will be a long process and it is too early to make an assessment of our efforts to help companies.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which companies her Department has assisted in winning contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq. [116273]
§ Ms HewittWe expect UK companies to play a significant role in the redevelopment of post-conflict Iraq. In the short-term, US funded contracts are likely to be the main source of opportunities for UK companies on a sub-contract basis. While we expect UK companies to bid for and win contracts, companies are not obliged to inform us if and when they have done so.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with(a) the Secretary of State for International Development, (b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (c) the Prime Minister about the reconstruction of Iraq. [116271]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 3 June 2003]: The Cabinet and Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Iraq has regular discussions on all aspects of our policy towards Iraq, including reconstruction.