Iraq (Hansard, 24 June 2003)

§ Mr. Simmonds
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions were given by the Coalition to British troops in Iraq regarding the need to secure those sites identified by the Coalition as key in the search for weapons of mass destruction.[115514]

§ Mr. Hoon
I have been asked to reply.
United Kingdom Commanders in Iraq were instructed to provide support, as appropriate, to efforts to investigate sites which may be related to programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction. UK Commanders have further been instructed to secure possible chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear hazards, with the aim of making their areas of operations safe for military forces and civilians.

§ Phil Sawford
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution 57/232 to deploy human rights monitors in Iraq.[119714]

§ Mr. Rammell
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) on 20 June 2003,Official Report, column 471W.

§ Andrew George
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution 57/232 to deploy human rights monitors in Iraq.[120143]

§ Mr. Rammell
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) on 20 June 2003,Official Report, column 471W.
707W

§ Llew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason Mr. John Sawers has been withdrawn from Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the role to be played by Sir Jeremy Greenstock in Iraq.[120783]

§ Mr. Rammell
John Sawers is shortly leaving Iraq to take up a new appointment as Political Director in the FCO.
Sir Jeremy Greenstock will take up his appointment in September 2003 following the completion of his Diplomatic Service posting as Ambassador at the United Nations.
The appointment of such a senior and experienced diplomat shows the strength of our continuing commitment to Iraq.
Sir Jeremy will report to my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers as necessary. His main role will be to contribute to and support the political process leading to the establishment of a representative Iraqi Government under the terms of SCR 1483. He will work closely with leading Iraqi representatives, the Coalition Provisional Authority, the UN and other representatives of the international community.