HC Deb 14 January 1997 vol 288 cc126-7
12. Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to visit northern Iraq to discuss the operation of the northern no-fly zone. [8982]

Mr. Portillo

I have no plans to visit northern Iraq.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Is it not true to say that the Iraqi opposition forces have been led by the western powers into attacking Saddam Hussein's forces, under the umbrella of the no-fly zone, and, having done so, have promptly been dropped by John Major and President Clinton? Is that not the truth? The British Government—and, at the same time, the American Government—received the benefit of the war in Iraq. Why do we not now face up to our responsibilities to the people of northern Iraq, who are suffering incredible miseries?

Mr. Portillo

The hon. Gentleman ought to be truly ashamed of himself, and particularly of his attack on my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. My right hon. Friend led international opinion in forming the safe havens for the Kurdish people. The Royal Air Force has participated in flights over northern and southern Iraq over the past five years, and we have made a major contribution to ensuring that Saddam Hussein is not able to continue his policy of massacring the Kurdish people. We have also provided the Kurdish people with some £90 million of aid. It is truly deplorable for the hon. Gentleman to attack my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.