§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their position on the disposal of mustard gas and VX which were found in the premises of the United Nations Special Commission on its departure from Iraq. [HL3343]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanOn 25 May, UNSCOM Executive Chairman Richard Butler recommended to the United Nations Secretary-General that an UNSCOM team return to Baghdad to close down UNSCOM's chemical and biological laboratories. He advised that when UNSCOM evacuated Iraq in December minute quantities of certain chemical warfare agents used for calibrating equipment had been left in the laboratories, together with 1 kg of mustard gas extracted from Iraqi artillery shells and awaiting destruction. All chemicals had been left in safe containment. There were no immediate safety concerns, but UNSCOM's longer than expected absence from its premises made it prudent to act now.
Iraq refuses to allow any UNSCOM experts back into the country. The Secretary-General is attempting to find an acceptable way forward. The UK supports his efforts.