HL Deb 29 February 2000 vol 610 cc62-3WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have had any communication from the Russian Government or any independent information, about the condition of the oil wells in Chechnya. [HL1141]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

We have received no communication from the Russian Government, or from any independent source, providing information about the condition of the oil wells in Chechnya.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, to their knowledge, either the Russian Government or the local authorities in Chechnya have asked for any outside assistance with the handling of the oil wells or oil pipelines in Chechnya. [HL1142]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

So far as the Government are aware, neither the Russian nor local Chechen authorities have asked for outside assistance with the handling of the oil wells or oil pipelines in Chechnya.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to make aid to Chechnya conditional upon inspection of the oil wells and pipelines in that country. [HL1143]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The UK Government have already given £1.4 million to the ICRC and UN emergency appeals for Chechnya, and also contributed via the EU emergency action of 1.2 million euro. To date all UK financial aid has been given for humanitarian assistance, to relieve the suffering of the people of Chechnya. It would not be appropriate to make this, or any further UK aid, conditional on the inspection of Chechen oil wells and pipelines.