§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's assessment as to whether Iraq has developed the capability to deliver an inter-continental ballistic missile; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Iraqi Government announced on 7 December that they had launched a rocket capable of carrying satellites into space. Reports have also suggested that Iraq is developing a military missile with a range of 2,000 km. There is no further information that I can give to the hon. Gentleman. However, we are concerned about the destabilising effect that such a programme, if it exists, could have on the middle east region.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's latest assessment as to Iraq's anti-tactical ballistic missile capability; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIraq has claimed to be developing an anti-tactical ballistic missile. We have no reason to doubt this claim.