§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will update to the present the answer given to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 17 October 1990,Official Report, column 837, on export credits to Iraq.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information requested is contained in the answer that I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 12 January at column236.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what benefits have accrued to United Kingdom business from exhibitions at the Baghdad international arms fairs.
§ Mr. NeedhamI assume the question refers to the international exhibition for military production held in Baghdad in 1989 in which a number of British companies participated. It is for the companies themselves to say what commercial benefits accrued as a result.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date the most recent United Kingdom-Iraq joint committee on trade was held; what matters were discussed; and what was decided.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe most recent UK-Iraq joint commission was held from 27 to 30 November 1989. It reviewed the implementation of the agreement on economic and technical co-operation signed on 24 June 1981. A financial protocol was signed for ECGD supported medium-term credits, up to a value of £250 million, in respect of the export of capital goods and services to Iraq by United Kingdom companies. In the event, however, loan agreements in respect of this sum were not signed and none of the £250 million, therefore, was utilised by Iraq.