§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to press the Security Council to ensure that oil for food imports for the Iraqi people reach the full $5.256 billion allowed in the current six months for the Fifth Security Council Programme, given that Iraq's oil revenues for this period will fall far short of this figure. [HL1175]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe panel established by the Security Council on 30 January to consider the humanitarian situation in Iraq began work on 1 March. This work will include a review and assessment of the oil for food programme. The panel is expected to consider ways of making the programme more effective, including measures to offset the shortfall in available revenue. The panel is expected to report back to the Security Council by mid-April.
The Security Council has approved the allocation of 600 million US dollars for the purchase of oil spare parts in order to permit Iraq to increase its oil production and export. Approximately 400 contracts for oil spares worth 241 million US dollars have so far been approved by the UN Sanctions Committee.
§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they will ensure that essential oilfield maintenance and production equipment and spare parts are reaching Iraq and are not being unduly held up by the review process, thus slowing oil production and revenues for the oil for food programme. [HL1176]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe deliberations of the humanitarian panel and the review of the oil for food programme will not impact on the work of the UN Sanctions Committee, which will continue to consider and approve contracts as normal. The committee has so far approved approximately 400 contracts for oil spare parts worth 241 million US dollars.