HL Deb 19 November 1998 vol 594 cc212-3WA
Lord McNair

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the United Nations Special Commission stated in August, after the missile attack on the al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory, that it had no evidence to indicate transfer of weapons or technology of mass destruction from Iraq to Sudan. [HL3802]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) has reported no evidence of any transfer of weapons of mass destruction or of associated materials or expertise by Iraq to any other country since the Gulf conflict and the imposition of sanctions in 1991. Nevertheless, we remain concerned about substantial gaps in Iraq's disclosures to UNSCOM. We cannot be sure that such transfers have not occurred.