HC Deb 25 October 2000 vol 355 c137W
18. Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Iraq following the withdrawal of UN officials. [132198]

Clare Short

The increase in the oil price will allow $16 billion to be spent on humanitarian needs in Iraq this year. Living conditions continue to improve in Iraq, in contrast to those parts controlled by Saddam Hussein. The Government of Iraq have also refused to co-operate with the preparation of an independent report of the humanitarian situation in Iraq, or to allow experts in to consider possible ways of using oil revenues to meet local costs. The UK provides some £6 million of bilateral humanitarian aid to Iraq through international organisations.

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