HL Deb 18 July 2003 vol 651 c191WA
Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans there are to restrict the movement. sale and export of cuprous scrap within and from Iraq in order to reduce the looting and damage to publicly owned electrical installations. [HL3924]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Coalition Provisional Authority has prohibited the export of copper from Iraq. UK forces in Iraq carry out patrols to prevent looting from electrical installations and have destroyed illegal smelters used to melt copper for export. In all cases people suspected of looting are arrested and detained for theft. We are working to re-establish the Iraqi police force, which is a priority for the coalition in restoring law and order.