HL Deb 16 March 2000 vol 610 cc228-9WA
Viscount Waverley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the procedures by which the UN-Iraq Sanctions Committee reaches decisions on applications under the Oil for Food programme or under other humanitarian programmes. [HL1364]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The UN-Iraq Sanctions Committee established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 661, comprising all members of the UN Security Council, reaches decisions on applications under the Oil for Food programme or under other humanitarian programmes by consensus in accordance with the relevant resolutions on Iraq. A significant number of applications, for essential civilian needs, medical supplies and foodstuffs are circulated under a no objection procedure and medicines are generally exempt from committee approval.

Under the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1284, it has been agreed that an even wider range of humanitarian items will no longer require Sanctions Committee approval. These items include foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, medical equipment and educational items. These items require notification to the UN's Office of the Iraq Programme.

Viscount Waverley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the most recent year for which figures are available, (a) how many applications were made to the UN-Iraq Sanctions Committee under the Oil for Food programme or under other humanitarian programmes; (b) how many of these applications were approved; (c) how many were refused; (d) how many are still outstanding; (e) what was the average length of time taken to consider each application. [HL1365]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Between December 1998 and 6 March 2000, 2,443 applications were submitted to the UN Iraq Sanctions Committee under the Oil for Food programme. One of these applications was refused. The Committee raised no objection to 1,883 of these applications and additional information was requested on 560 applications.

Detailed information on all Oil for Food applications submitted over the last year can be found on the UN website at http://www.un.org/Depts/oip.html

During the period 1 August 1998 to 20 November 1999, over 6,000 applications were received for humanitarian goods outside the Oil for Food programme. Of these 2,654 were approved, 427 were placed on hold for further information and 2,823 were refused as the Committee considered that the applications were not consistent with the relevant resolutions on Iraq. Some applications were withdrawn or nullified.

Medical supplies and food applications are circulated under a no objections procedure within two business days; other humanitarian supplies within seven business days. Under the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1284, it has been agreed that a wide range of humanitarian items will no longer require Sanctions Committee approval. These items include foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, medical equipment and educational items. These items require notification to the UN's Office of the Iraq Programme.