Iraq (Hansard, 8 March 1994)

§ 1. Mr. Dalyell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the objectives of the British military contribution to the United Nations force covering Iraq.

§ The Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Jeremy Hanley)
The objective of British military involvement in Iraq is to secure the Iraqi Government's compliance with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

§ Mr. Dalyell
May I ask a question of which I have given the Department notice? From the pictures that have been taken by the RAF, is there any hard evidence of wanton destruction in the heart of the marshes in the area around Querna, where the Tigris meets the Euphrates?

§ Mr. Hanley
The answer is yes. We are constantly gathering information on the southern marshes. Where it is suitable for public release, we shall consider doing so from time to time to raise the level of public awareness and to inform debate in the House. We have already released a video film showing villages destroyed by the Iraqi military. Since then, there has been growing evidence of drying out and flooding in the area. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the notice that he gave; if he would like to see the video film I can arrange for that.

§ Mr. Wilkinson
Is my hon. Friend aware that the RAF Harrier force is doing a first-class job from Turkey over northern Iraq, that last year about one third of Harrier crews were deployed overseas and that about half its crews are likely to be deployed overseas this year? Are not Her Majesty's forces being asked to do more with fewer resources? When will that process stop?

§ Mr. Hanley
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the subject of the RAF Harriers based at Incirlick. There are eight GR7 Harriers based there on Op Warden and they fly an average of four reconnaissance sorties each days in support of the northern no-fly zone north of the 36th parallel. We should also pay tribute to the six Tornado GR1s which also fly on average four sorties in support of the southern no-fly zone south of the 32nd parallel. My hon. Friend will be aware that the RAF takes on those tasks willingly.