§ 8. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest assessment of the consequences of UN sanctions on Iraq. [12350]
§ Mr. HanleyUN sanctions are designed to ensure that Iraq fulfils the Gulf war ceasefire terms. The strategy appears to be working. Iraq has recognised Kuwait and the UN-demarcated border and agreed to participate in discussions with the UN, which we hope will result in 319 Iraqi acceptance of UN Security Council resolution 986. That would greatly help to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people.
§ Mr. DalyellOn sanctions, how is it right that Ministers criticised by Sir Richard Scott should have seven days' notice, and that civil servants apparently criticised by Sir Richard Scott should have no days' notice? Sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander.
§ Mr. HanleyI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for showing his normal courtesy in giving notice of his supplementary question. Unfortunately, that was not it. I therefore suggest that he waits for the statement next week and that, if he has any further questions, he waits for his Adjournment debate tonight.
§ Mr. DalyellOn a point of order, Madam Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment this evening at 10.15 pm.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerDoes my right hon. Friend agree that, as long as Saddam Hussein and his military junta are in control in Iraq, the middle east peace will always be fragile, and that that is why we must continue to take whatever action is deemed necessary to contain that instability?
§ Madam SpeakerI am sorry; it was remiss of me. The notice given by the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) brings this question to an end. I therefore cannot ask the Minister to respond.