§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will now make public details of the involvement of British companies in Iraq's(a) chemical, (b) nuclear and (c) biological and chemical warfare programmes as communicated to Her Majesty's Government by UNSCOM—the UN special commission on Iraq. [17322]
The Deputy Prime Minister[holding answer 26 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply. UNSCOM has communicated to us in confidence the names of a number of British companies which may have been involved in supplying items found at sites associated with Iraqi programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction. UNSCOM does not make this information public, and it is important that we respect its confidence. UNSCOM considers that a high degree of confidentiality is essential to the successful performance of its work.
Moreover, release of the names included in UNSCOM reports could unreasonably damage the reputation of British companies. It would be wrong to conclude without further analysis that companies whose names might appear in reports from UNSCOM have behaved 23W wrongfully. Should any evidence of wrongdoing emerge, it will be investigated and, if appropriate, will be a matter for the courts.