HL Deb 23 February 1998 vol 586 cc59-60WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept the United States interpretation of international law which would allow it to attack Iraq in the absence of either an immediate threat to its security or a specific Security Council Resolution; and whether this indicates a change in the British Government's interpretation of the Charter of the United Nations. [HL590]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Government's interpretation of the Charter of the United Nations has not changed. Any use of force requires to be justified under international law, notably the United Nations Charter. It is well established that, under the Charter, force may be used in self-defence or under the authority of the Security Council.