HC Deb 21 March 1991 vol 188 cc399-400
Q7. Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Prime Minister what further plans he has to visit the Gulf region.

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.

Mr. Corbyn

That is rather strange since the question was about the Gulf.

The Prime Minister

I have no immediate plans to do so—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Corbyn

I am quite good at lip-reading and I assume that the Prime Minister said that he was not preparing to go to the Gulf region again. I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that the Prime Minister should visit the Gulf region and assess the results of the war. There were 150,000 casualties and deaths, there is martial law in Kuwait and environmental destruction throughout the region. It is the product of arms sales. Does the Prime Minister consider that all the money that has been spent by the Government on the Gulf war compares unfavourably with the miserly figure of £28 million spent on the African famine? Should not the right hon. Gentleman now create peace in the Gulf and give resources to solve the African famine?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman in his litany missed out one or two material facts—the liberation of Kuwait for a start. He also missed out the fact that the Iraqis were murdering Kuwaitis, dismantling Kuwait, damaging the environment and committing unpardonable sins. I very much regret that the hon. Gentleman does not recall that.

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