HC Deb 17 May 1994 vol 243 cc430-1W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Kuwaitis are being kept in Iraqi prisons as a consequence of the Gulf war; and what representations he, or international bodies, have been making about these prisoners.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The Kuwaiti Government estimate that 592 Kuwaitis are unaccounted for after the Gulf war. We raise the plight of Kuwaiti and other detainees with the Iraqi Government at every suitable opportunity, for example at the next Security Council review of sanctions on 17 May. We also fully support the International Red Cross in its efforts to persuade Iraq to respond to requests for information about the detainees.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates exist of the number of foreign nationals being kept in Iraqi prisons; how many of these are British; and what representations are being made about access to them and about their release.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We have no record of any British citizens being held in Iraqi prisons at the moment. Records are not kept of detained foreign nationals.

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