§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the question of the current sanctions against Iraq was last discussed by the Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Council of Ministers most recently discussed sanctions against Iraq at the EU-Gulf Co-operation Council on 8 May.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Her Majesty's Government's policy will be on the renewal of sanctions against Iraq at the Security Council of the United Nations on 17 May; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Security Council meeting on 17 May will be to review whether Iraq has met the conditions for the removal of United Nations sanctions. The meeting will not decide whether or not to renew sanctions. The sanctions regime against Iraq will continue to remain in place, without need for renewal, unless and until the Security Council passes a resolution specifically deciding on their lifting.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Red Cross or the Red Crescent concerning medical supplies to Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies issued an appeal for funds for assistance to Iraq on 25 March, which included provision for medical supplies. The British Red Cross is clarifying one or two issues concerning the appeal, following which a decision on a possible contribution from us will be taken.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects United Nations sanctions have had on the economic situation in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe keep all aspects of the situation in Iraq under review. It is open to the Government of Iraq248W to ensure the removal of economic sanctions by complying fully with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation concerning the effects the UN sanctions on Iraq have on the education and culture of Iraq.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI have received no representations from UNESCO concerning the effects of UN sanctions on Iraq.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to him or to the United Nations by the United Nations Children's Fund concerning the effects sanctions have had on the children and young people of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI am not aware of any UNICEF representations to us or the United Nations about the effect of sanctions on the children of Iraq.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made on the effects the UN sanctions have had on the medical provision and supplies to the civilian population of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe provision of medical supplies is specifically exempted from United Nations sanctions on Iraq. The Security Council has also provided means under its resolutions 706 and 712 for the Government of Iraq to export a fixed quantity of oil in order to pay for such supplies; although the Iraqis have refused to make use of this facility. With the help of information from UN agencies and British non-governmental organisations we keep all aspects of the humanitarian situation in Iraq under review.