Kuwaiti Prisoners of War in Iraq

HL Deb 31 March 1999 vol 599 cc61-2WA

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are supporting Egypt in efforts to locate the surviving Kuwaiti prisoners of war in Iraq. [HL1750]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Her Majesty's Government continues to play a leading role in the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Sub-Committee set up under ICRC chairmanship to review the case files on the missing Kuwaitis. We are disappointed at the lack of progress made to date and are concerned at Iraq's refusal to attend recent meetings. We fully support the ICRC's efforts to bring the process back on track, in order to end the anguish of the families of the missing.

A panel set up by the UN Security Council on 30 January is also considering Iraq's compliance with its obligations towards the Kuwaiti missing. As a member of the Tripartite Commission, the UK gave a presentation to the panel.