§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the Minister for Trade's visit to Iraq on 10 November; and what discussions he held with Iraqi leaders regarding the progress of the war with Iran.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkI visited Iraq on 10–11 November as co-chairman of the United Kingdom-Iraq Joint Commission to review the development of bilateral trade and the prospects for the coming year. The joint commission approved the extension of the financial protocol providing credit facilities for United Kingdom exports until the end of 1987. Iraqi Ministers confirmed their intention of meeting Iraq's current payments obligations to the United Kingdom. With Iraqi Ministers I discussed the economic implications for Iraq of the fall in oil prices and the war with Iran. Iraq continues to face a period of severe economic stringency; nevertheless, our exports to this market show a welcome increase of almost 9 per cent. in the first 10 months of 1986. I also visited the United Kingdom pavilion at the Baghdad international fair, where 70 British companies were exhibiting. My hosts commented favourably on the large British presence.