§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government have made any assessment of the number of(a) Iraqi military, (b) Kuwaitis, (c) Palestinians and (d) other nationals who were killed by Allied forces on the Kuwait to Basra road in the retreating convoy before a ceasefire was declared.
§ The Prime MinisterAllied forces had instructions to attack retreating Iraqi units which could continue to pose a threat. We have no information on casualties sustained in these attacks.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Prime Minister when he expects all prisoners of war held in(a) Iraq and (b) the United Kingdom to be released.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 5 March 1991]: Further coalition prisoners of war were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross yesterday and we hope that all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals will be released as soon as possible. Arrangements are being made with the International Committee of the Red Cross for those Iraqis being held in the United Kingdom to be released as soon as possible.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Prime Minister what consideration Her Majesty's Government gave to securing the release of prisoners of war before agreeing to a ceasefire in the Gulf conflict.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 5 March 1991]: Allied offensive operations in the Gulf are currently suspended. The release of all prisoners of war remains a top priority before a formal ceasefire is declared. In adopting resolution 686., the United Nations Security Council has called on Iraq immediately to arrange access to and release of all prisoners of war and detainees, under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross.