HC Deb 18 April 1995 vol 258 cc8-9
7. Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has made to the World Health Organisation about water-borne disease in the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates. [17577]

Mr. Sackville

My right hon. Friend has made no specific representations to the WHO about the water-borne diseases in the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates. However, I would like to make it clear that this country is a large contributor, both financially and in manpower, to World Health Organisation programmes and overseas aid programmes, including those benefiting the people of Iraq.

Mr. Dalyell

Do Ministers accept the horrendous statistic given in the report of Riad el Taher, to which I drew the Minister's attention, that, since the end of the Gulf war, 500,000 infants have died in one way or another from malnutrition and disease? What was the role of the WHO in those circumstances? Do the Government think that, whoever's fault it is, at least it is not the fault of the infants who are in such horrendous conditions?

Mr. Sackville

I have the greatest sympathy with the suffering of the people of Iraq, but I must remind the hon. Gentleman that medicine and other humanitarian aid are outside the sanctions that have been applied. Saddam Hussein has yet again turned down another offer of substantial aid in return for limited sales of oil. His record does not suggest that, if there were a total relaxation of the sanctions, the health of his people would benefit. The only thing that would happen would be the rebuilding of his arsenal, which would do nothing for the welfare of his own people or of his neighbours.