HC Deb 18 March 1999 vol 327 cc763-5W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the explanation given to the UN by the Iraqis for the non-distribution of $275 million worth of medicinal supplies; and what reports he has received concerning incomplete apparatus and quality control tests on these supplies. [77254]

Mr. Fatchett

I share my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's assessment, as set out in the answer of 16 March 1999,Official Report, column 573, of the Iraqi memorandum about the non-distribution of $275m worth of medical supplies. It is an unconvincing attempt by Iraq to divert responsibility for the distribution problems in the centre and south on to others. In the northern governorates, where distribution is carried out by UN agencies, no problems in the distribution of medical goods were noted in the UN Secretary-General's report.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the British delegation at the UN has taken to implement UN resolutions in regard to the children in Iraq. [77327]

Mr. Fatchett

HMG has always worked to ensure that UN Security Council resolutions on Iraq are implemented. We were at the forefront of efforts to introduce the UN "oil for food" humanitarian programme and continue to do all we can to help the Iraqi people. Recently, the UK mission has been working at the UN to press Iraq to prioritise contracts effectively, so that the food and health needs of the Iraqi people, including vulnerable groups such as infants, are put first. They have, for example, raised concerns that Iraq has not so far submitted contracts to the Sanctions Committee for high protein biscuits (for pregnant and lactating mothers) and has submitted contracts for only $1.5 million (out of $8.7 million) for high protein milk for infants.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the killing by Western aircraft of an oil-for-food programme monitor. [77358]

Mr. Fatchett

None.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the basis is in international law for the concept of no-fly zones. [77354]

Mr. Fatchett

The No Fly Zones were established in April 1991 and August 1992 in support of UN Security Council resolution 688 which called on Iraq to end its repression of the civilian population. The No Fly Zones are justified under international law in response to a situation of overwhelming humanitarian necessity.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has obtained on the categories of information exchanged between the US and UNSCOM. [77260]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 8 March 1999,Official Report, column 15, and the answer I gave him on 9 March 1999, Official Report, column 181.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about possible external involvement in the murder of Ayatollah Muhammed Saddiq al-Sadr at Najaf. [77253]

Mr. Fatchett

We have seen press reports that the Government of Iraq have blamed external forces for the murder of Ayatollah al-Sadr. But others, including credible Iraqi Shia sources, hold the Iraqi regime responsible for the assassination. The UN Special Rapporteur previously expressed his fears that such killings formed part of a systematic attack on the independent leadership of Shia muslims in Iraq. We urge the Iraqi authorities to conduct a full investigation into al-Sadr's death and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons(a) disinfectant and (b) coffins are included in UN sanctions on Iraq. [77328]

Mr. Fatchett

Under the UN "oil for food" programme, Iraq is allowed to import goods for essential civilian needs, such as disinfectant and coffins.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the supply of radiotherapy equipment, chemotherapy drugs and analgesics to Iraq has been blocked by British advisers. [77255]

Mr. Fatchett

96 per cent. of the contracts submitted by Iraq to the Security Council under the UN "oil for food" programme have been approved. The majority of holds are put in place because paperwork is either incorrect or insufficient. The UK currently has holds on six contracts for medical supplies because the full details required by the UN have not been provided (and in one case because the contract is illegible). I can assure my hon. Friend that the equipment and drugs he specifies do not feature on any of these contracts.