HC Deb 13 February 1991 vol 185 c850
14. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what have been his Department's responsibilities and activities in connection with the international response to environmental damage caused since the commencement of hostilities in the Gulf; and what consultations he has had with other Governments on the subject.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is maintaining close touch through diplomatic channels with the Gulf states affected, who are leading the response to the environmental damage that Iraq is inflicting on the region. The FCO was pleased to be able to assist in making the arrangements for, and a financial contribution to, the visit of the RSPCA team to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister accept that there was widespread concern that at the time of the oil slick—caused, I accept, by the Iraqis and not in other ways—there had not been adequate preparation, given the many warnings of environmental risk to the Gulf as a result of hostilities? In view of the greater danger to human life and to the environment if the chemical cocktail of toxic substances in Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were to be detonated or released by future conflict, what is being done now to ensure that the allied forces avoid such detonation, and what preventive measures are planned to mitigate any further much worse environmental damage to humans and to the middle east in general?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The response to the emergency caused by the oil slick is clearly the responsibility of Saudi Arabia and the other sovereign Gulf states affected. However, I can confirm that a considerable amount of equipment—90 tonnes of anti-pollution equipment—from stocks held in Britain has been delivered to the region.

Mr. Tredinnick

Does my hon. Friend agree that loss of human life is the worst form of environmental damage? Is it true that the Iraqis are setting up concentration camps in Kuwait for Kuwaiti civilians? Will he give an undertaking that, when the war is over, those responsible will be prosecuted under international law?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

My hon. Friend has raised a point that is not relevant to the environmental damage, but I can confirm that the worst possible environmental damage caused by Saddam Hussein involves the appalling atrocities that he has committed against people in Kuwait and that region.