HL Deb 15 March 1999 vol 598 cc61-2WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to establish the facts concerning damage to the Iraqi-Turkish pipeline; whether attacks on this pipeline such as those of 28 February and 1 March are now permitted under the new rules of engagement agreed by the United States and Turkey; and whether this new policy is compatible with United Kingdom policy that Saddam Hussein can "sell as much oil as he wants for food and medicine for the Iraqi people" (Answer by the Prime Minister on 3 March, HC Deb., col. 1074). [HL1420]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

On 28 February and 1 March, coalition aircraft took action against communications facilities forming part of the Iraqi air defence network, in response to being fired upon by Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery and being targeted by air defence radars. It appears that elements of these facilities also carried part of the pipeline control network. The Kirkuk-Yumurtalik pipeline was not damaged, and the flow of oil was resumed in three days.