§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information Her Majesty's Government possess on the current operational status of(a) the Al-Qaim uranium processing factory, (b) the Qa Qaa explosives factory and (c) Samarra factory 10, in Iraq.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAl-Qaim was badly damaged during the Gulf conflict and has not been repaired. The Qa Qaa explosives plant is part of the Al Qa Qaa state establishment. This is a vast enterprise covering aspects of explosives, propellant and primer production. Much of its work is not prohibited under the terms of Security Council resolution 687. The facility was extensively bombed during the Gulf conflict. Reconstruction has been taking place at the establishment which has been visited by UN inspectors on several occasions. It is believed that part of the explosives and ammunition plant was severely damaged by an explosion in late October. The Government are not aware of any facility known as Samarra factory 10.