HC Deb 15 January 1990 vol 165 cc57-8W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's assessment as to whether Iraq has developed the capability to deliver an inter-continental ballistic missile; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

The Iraqi Government announced on 7 December that they had launched a rocket capable of carrying satellites into space. Reports have also suggested that Iraq is developing a military missile with a range of 2,000 km. There is no further information that I can give to the hon. Gentleman. However, we are concerned about the destabilising effect that such a programme, if it exists, could have on the middle east region.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's latest assessment as to Iraq's anti-tactical ballistic missile capability; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

Iraq has claimed to be developing an anti-tactical ballistic missile. We have no reason to doubt this claim.

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