HC Deb 19 December 1986 vol 107 cc756-7W
Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the official delegations of Government-sponsored individuals or parties from Iraq who have visited the United Kingdom since January 1985, stating in each case the purpose of the visit.

Mrs. Chalker

In May 1985, His Excellency Mr. Tariq Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Iraq, visited the United Kingdom as part of an Arab League delegation to discuss the Iran-Iraq conflict.

In September 1985, Dr. Alwash, Iraqi Minister of Health visited to discuss health matters and visit pharmaceutical firms.

In November 1985, Mr. Hassan Ali, Iraqi Minister of Trade, visited for a meeting of the Anglo/Iraqi Joint Economic Commission.

In December 1985, His Excellency Mr. Tariq Aziz paid an official visit for talks with Ministers.

In June 1986, Mrs. Manal Younis, the chairperson of the Iraqi Federation of Women, visited a wide range of women's associations.

In October 1986, Mr. Fouad Abdul Hadi, of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, paid a visit to make contact with representatives of British chambers of commerce.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the occasions since January 1985 when Her Majesty's Government or military officials have visited Iraq.

Mrs. Chalker

According to our records, officials visited Iraq in November 1986 accompanying Lord Jellicoe to the Baghdad trade fair, and in November 1986 accompanied my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade to meetings of the Anglo/Iraqi Joint Economic Commission.

An official from the FCO also paid a familiarisation visit to Iraq in March 1986, and officials from ECGD visited Iraq in May 1986 to review progress on the United Kingdom/Iraq financial protocol.

There have been no visits to Iraq by MOD officials within this period.

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