HL Deb 16 October 1990 vol 522 c880WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How near Iraq is to the possession of a nuclear weapon.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)

We are aware of recent reports in the media that Iraq may be seeking to obtain a nuclear weapon capability. As a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iraq has undertaken not to acquire or manufacture nuclear weapons. It would clearly be a cause for the gravest concern internationally if any party were to ignore its obligations under the treaty.