§ Lord Joplingasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied with the effectiveness of United Nations trade sanctions against Iraq on that country's border with Syria; and [HL2282]
How many crossing places exist on the Iraq-Syria border capable of carrying heavy lorries and oil tankers; and which of them are monitored by the United Nations; and [HL2283]
What is their estimate of the quantity of oil or other goods being illegally transported either into or out of Iraq across the Syrian border; and [HL2284]
What is their estimate of the number of heavy lorries and oil tankers with Iraqi number plates, travelling each day either into or out of Iraq along the Euphrates valley or through Palmyra. [HL2285]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanIt is the responsibility of individual states to ensure that their nationals and companies do not breach UN sanctions against Iraq. Since sanctions were imposed, we have made many approaches to other governments, including the Government of Syria, informing them of actions by their nationals or through their territories which might breach the UN sanctions regime and requesting them to follow up this information.