HC Deb 16 February 2000 vol 344 c563W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Prime Minister what account the Government have taken of the representations of(a) Denis Halliday, (b) Hans von Sponeck and (c) other senior officials of UN agencies in relation to (i) aggravated water shortage in Turkey and (ii) US and UK bombing and the effect on child mortality in Iraq. [108790]

The Prime Minister

We are not aware of any representations by UN officials regarding "aggravated water shortage in Turkey".

All actions by UK and US forces in the No Fly Zones are in response to Iraqi threats and are made in self-defence, as is their right under international law. Our forces make every effort to avoid civilian casualties. Iraqi claims to the contrary should be treated with caution. The Government of Iraq has, for example, previously blamed coalition aircraft for civilian casualties on days when no aircraft were patrolling the No Fly Zones.