Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Ministers from his Department last visited Iraq, and what was the purpose and outcome of the visits.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend the then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office visited Iraq in February 1989 to discuss bilateral and commercial issues; to appeal for the release of Mr. Ian Richter; to encourage an early peace settlement with Iran; and to raise Iraq's use of chemical weapons and her human rights record. The policies of the Iraqi Government have prevented progress on any of these issues.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made by Her Majesty's Government since 1985 to other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in regard to their sales of military equipment and technology for Iraq.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggOur policy on sales of defence equipment to Iraq since 1984 was to refuse the sale of any equipment which would significantly enhance Iraq's ability to prolong or exacerbate its conflict with Iran. Since280W 1980 we had refused to allow the export of lethal equipment to either side. This policy was well known to the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.