§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, when deciding on any increase in the export credit granted to Iraq, he will make it his policy to take into account recent human rights violations there, including the use of chemical weapons by Government forces.
Mr. ClarkThe Government are concerned by the denial of human rights wherever this occurs, and have consistently made our views clear to the Iraqi Government on this subject. We have also made clear to the Iraqi Government our condemnation of the use of chemical weapons. We will continue to do so. At the same time, we should not lose sight of the importance of developing political and economic relations with Iraq, and the provision of export credit is a major contribution to this.