HC Deb 05 February 1997 vol 289 c610W
Mr. Gunnell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations were carried out by the DTI-funded committee for middle east trade before deciding to encourage British firms to bid for the Iraqi contracts sanctioned under United Nations Security Council resolution 986. [14244]

Mr. Nelson

[holding answer 4 February 1997]: The committee for middle east trade consulted my Department, which is in close touch with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on this issue. SCR 986 is a one-off humanitarian measure to help alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people and it is proper that British firms should compete for business under it.