§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to release the assets of the Iraqi Government in the National Westminster bank in London; and if he will negotiate with the Iraqi Government to ensure that this money is not removed from Britain but is used to fund Iraqi students studying in the United Kingdom and allow them to repay loans received from local authorities since the freezing of Iraqi assets.
§ Mr. MaplesThe United Nations Sanctions Committee has informed national Governments where Iraqi assets are 707W held that they have discretion to unfreeze them to pay for approved humanitarian purposes. There could be no question of unfreezing assets for purposes incompatible with United Nations decisions.
The Bank of England will, however, continue to consider applications to debit Iraqi accounts for living, medical, educational and similar expenses in the United Kingdom of residents of Iraq. So far, no such applications have been received to meet the fees of students sponsored by the Iraqi Government.