§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what action is being taken by the allied forces to protect the civilian population of Iraq from the effects of oil conflagration;
(2) what action is being taken by the allied forces to protect the Kurdish people from the effects of oil conflagration.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have no information indicating a serious threat to the Kurdish people from the effects of oil conflagration. The environmental damage caused by the fires started at Kuwait's oil wells is wholly to be laid at the door of Saddam Hussein.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he, Ministers or officials of his Department had with academic specialists on the middle east region since 16 January on formation of policy towards restoring security in the Gulf following the end of hostilities.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in regular contact with academics on a wide range of subjects involving the middle east in the course of its normal business.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has had any consultations with his American counterparts, or officials at the United States State Department concerning the occupation of Basra by allied military and civilian personnel following the end of hostilities in the Gulf war.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydOur objectives do not include the occupation of Iraqi territory. Coalition forces present in Iraq at the cessation of hostilities will, as has been stated on repeated occasions, be brought home.