HC Deb 28 February 1991 vol 186 cc611-2W
Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any consultations with his United States counterpart, or with officers or officials from the Pentagon, about the legality of allied bombing of Iraqi nuclear facilities in advance of the bombing raids being conducted.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I am satisfied that the allied policy of attacking only targets which could pose a threat to allied forces and facilities which support Iraq's illegal occupation of Kuwait is entirely within international law. Discussions between my right hon. Friend and his United States counterpart, including on targeting, are confidential.

Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial contribution was made by his Department to the Meteorological Office to support its study of the ecological consequences of the Gulf war.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

In response to a question from the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn), my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces announced on 17 January 1991 at column546 that a copy of preliminary study by the Meteorological Office into the environmental effects of burning Kuwaiti oil wells had been placed in the House Library. The cost of this study was £4,200. This fell to my Department as the Meteorological Office remains on Defence votes.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has asked the Meteorological Office to conduct a study of the atmospheric pollution effects of the firing of oil wells in Kuwait by Iraq on 21 and 22 February.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I placed a note by the Meteorological Office on the possible environmental impact of burning oil wells in Kuwait in the Library of the House on 17 January. The Meteorological Office is continuing to monitor the situation.

Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Her Majesty's Government, or one of its Gulf allies, last discussed military objectives in the Gulf with Israel.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 25 February, at columns388–89.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the cause of the plume of soot and smoke from burning oil heading in the direction of the south and east from Iraq.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

We are unable to identify the particular plume of soot and smoke emanating from Iraq to which the hon. Member refers. A considerable quantity of smoke is being produced by oil wellhead and other fires which have been deliberately started by Iraqi forces in Kuwait.