HC Deb 31 January 1997 vol 289 cc417-8W
Mrs. Beckett

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the impact of the easing of restrictions on firms negotiating directly with the Iraqi Government to supply essential civilian goods. [13311]

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 30 January 1997]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 13 January 1997, Official Report, column 139.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidelines his Department issues to engineering companies in respect of export orders for Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [13310]

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 30 January 1997]: My Department issues a detailed guidance note on the sanctions imposed on Iraq in accordance with various resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. The guidance is aimed at all sectors of industry and sets out the scope of the controls on the freedom of companies to communicate with Iraq about the supply of goods and, in addition, makes clear that a licence is required before any such supplies may take place.