HC Deb 18 February 1998 vol 306 cc693-4W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the alternative civilian uses of the four plants in Iraq which have been used to produce chemical warfare munitions; what characteristics of these plants make them suitable for chemical weapons; and if these are necessary for the civilian uses. [29287]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

There are a number of sites involved in Iraq's chemical warfare programme, or with the capability to become involved, which also have legitimate civilian uses. In the case of Iraq these have included the production of pesticides, fertilisers and chemicals for water purification. Because of the dual-use nature of the equipment and materials involved, many such plants are capable of being used to produce chemical weapons.

Mr. Gerrard

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the basis for his Department's statement that(a) 4000 tonnes of chemical weapons and (b) 600 tonnes of VX precursors are not accounted for in Iraq; and what assessment he has made of where the precursors were obtained from. [29973]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

Of the balance of chemical weapons and precursors declared by Iraq, the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) has been unable to verify the disposal or destruction of the quantities referred to. Full details can be found in the latest report by the Executive Chairman of the UN Special Commission, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House. We have not made an assessment as to the source of supply, as UNSCOM's policy is not to disclose details of countries or suppliers and most chemical weapons precursors have widespread legitimate industrial applications eg in the manufacture of fire retardants, pesticides, insecticides and detergents.

Mr. Gerrard

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the basis for his Department's statement that 31,000 chemical weapons munitions are not accounted for in Iraq. [29974]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

The quantity of chemical weapons munitions that remain unaccounted for are derived from the discrepancy between Iraq's declared munitions material balance and the quantity that UNSCOM has been able to verify as destroyed or otherwise accounted for. Full details can be obtained from the latest report by the Executive Chairman of the UN Special Commission, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.