§ Andrew MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of people employed by private security companies(a) on behalf of the coalition in Iraq and (b) by the United Kingdom in Iraq. [161989]
§ Mr. RammellAround 215 people are employed by private security companies on behalf of the Government in Iraq. We have not estimated the number of people employed by private security companies on behalf of the coalition as a whole in Iraq.
§ David WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the employment practices are of the Veterinary directorate in Iraq; whether known opponents of the former regime are excluded for political reasons; and if he will make a statement. [162209]
§ Mr. RammellThe employment practices of the Iraqi veterinary directorate in the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture are a matter for the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture.
We have used our influence, however, to ensure that there are safeguards in law for Iraqi employees. The Transitional Administrative Law agreed by the Iraqi Governing Council on 8 March 2004 enshrines the equality of all Iraqis and forbids discrimination on the 420W basis of gender, nationality, religion or origin. It also establishes the right to form and join trade unions and the right to demonstrate and to strike peaceably. We are discussing with representatives from the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions how the Government can best help the growth of the Trades Union Movement in Iraq.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to maximise UN involvement in(a) the administration of Iraq and (b) the development of constitutional arrangements for an autonomous Kurdish region within an overall federal solution. [162191]
§ Mr. RammellUnited Nation's Security Council Resolutions 1483 and 1511 envisaged a major role for the UN in building a secure future for Iraq. In particular, they mandated the UN to co-ordinate humanitarian and reconstruction assistance and to work with the Coalition Provisional Authority and the people of Iraq in developing new representative systems of government. We strongly support the re-engagement of the UN in Iraq and stand ready with our coalition partners to provide security for UN personnel and premises. We believe the UN has a vital role to play in helping to forge a consensus among Iraqis on the best way to establish an Interim Government after 30 June 2004 and in preparing for elections in early 2005.
Federal issues are a matter for Iraqis to decide, including the degree of UN involvement. They will do so in the Transitional National Assembly to be elected in early 2005 and in a referendum on the draft constitution due later that year. The Transitional Administrative Law agreed by the Iraqi Governing Council on March 8 2004 recognises the administrative and legislative functions of the Kurdistan Regional Government. It also enshrines the principle that any federal system will not be based on ethnic or sectarian lines. But it leaves the final form of any federal structure to Iraqi democratic institutions to decide.