Iraq: Transfer of Weapons Expertise

HL Deb 11 March 1998 vol 587 cc65-6WA

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will seek to amend the mandate of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) to allow it to inquire into the alleged transfer of know-how, materials and facilities for the development or manufacture of chemical and biological weapons from Iraq to other countries. [HL869]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

UNSCOM's current mandate allows it to pursue inquiries into all aspects of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction activities, including alleged transfers of materials, know-how, facilities, technology or personnel. We are concerned at recent reports alleging such transfers, although we have not seen evidence to substantiate them.