HC Deb 26 February 1991 vol 186 cc458-9W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the role of the United Nations in co-ordinating the campaign to defeat the environmental pollution of the Gulf by the release of Iraqi oil.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Two United Nations specialised agencies have been principally involved in efforts to tackle the oil spills in the Gulf and their environmental consequences. The United Nations environment programme has sent its own team of experts to the Gulf to assess the situation and prepare a report for the UN Secretary-General. The International Maritime Organisation, based iii` London, is acting as a clearing house for the matching of specific requirements on site with specific offers of assistance in tackling the oil spills. We strongly support the efforts of both these agencies, and are providing administrative support to the IMO.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the statement of the Minister of State on 21 February, on the nature of the Soviet peace proposals, if he will specify what aspects of the proposals are unacceptable to the Government as a basis for settlement of the Gulf conflict.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Although certainly an improvement on earlier proposals, those emerging from Soviet/Iraqi talks on 19 February nevertheless did not constitute unconditional compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Mr. Flyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy reasons underpinned the decision by the allied military commanders to refuse to promise safe air passage to his Iraqi counterpart on his recent diplomatic visit from Baghdad to Moscow.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answer 25 February 1991]: No request for safe air passage was made by the Iraqi authorities. As we have made clear, allied forces have instructions to attack only military targets and facilities supporting the occupation of Kuwait.

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