HC Deb 06 February 1995 vol 254 cc22-3W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February, Official Report, column 1069, what arrangements have been made to assist Llandugh hospital with suitable security arrangements for the duration of the treatment of defected Iraqi army Major Safa Al-Battat for thallium poisoning.

Mr. Goodlad

We wrote to Llandugh hospital on 31 January following an inquiry from it about arrangements for press interviews for Major Al-Battat, the victim of thallium poisoning by the Iraqi regime. We discussed access for the press with the hospital administration, and recognised that it was for the hospital to judge whether the media should be allowed access to the patient.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February, Official Report, column 1069, if he will list the general principles governing Her Majesty's Government's approach to requests for urgent humanitarian medical treatment for those injured in civil wars or uprisings against(a) the Iraqi regime and (b) other conflicts.

Mr. Goodlad

All cases are considered on their individual merits.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February, Official Report, column, 1069, if he will provide details of the arrangements for the acceptance on urgent medical humanitarian grounds of entry clearance of defected Iraqi army Major Safa Al-Battat for anti-poisoning treatment at Llandugh hospital, South Glamorgan.

Mr. Goodlad

We condemn the Iraqi regime's efforts to poison Major Al-Battat. This is another example of the continuing brutality in Iraq, and yet more evidence that the regime is still involved in terrorist activities. We are therefore glad to have been able to help the Iraqi National Congress arrange Major Al-Battat's treatment here, and to ensure that his visa application was given prompt consideration in accordance with normal immigration rules.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February, Official Report, column 1069, what representations he has received concerning that arrangements for the treatment at Llandugh hospital, South Glamorgan of defected Iraqi army Major Safa Al-Battat for thallium, poisoning.

Mr. Goodlad

We discussed the arrangements for media access to Major Al-Battat with the hospital administrators and officials in the Welsh Office.