§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What breaches there have been in the oil for food programme; and what steps they intend to take to prevent Saddam Hussein from manipulating the programme. [HL4231]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe "oil for food" programme is the largest relief operation in the UN's history, likely to be worth approximately $6.5 billion in the present six-month phase. In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the UN and the Government of Iraq, the programme is implemented in Iraq in co-operation with the Iraqi Government. In these circumstances it is impossible completely to preclude Iraqi manipulation. However, we believe that close UN monitoring prevents wide-scale abuse of the programme. When we become aware of incidences of abuse or manipulation, we bring these to the attention of the UN.