Iraq (Hansard, 20 July 2001)

§ Harry Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the causes of the bombing on 19 June of a football pitch at Tal A'far in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [5018]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave and the answers my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave to my hon. Friend the Member 493W for Glasgow, Kelvin (Mr. Galloway) on 25 June 2001, Official Report, columns 17W and 32W, and 19 July 2001, Official Report, columns 539–40.

§ Harry Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many holds on applications for imports to Iraq in the sanctions committee of the United Nations Security Council were lifted after(a) zero to three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months and (e) more than one year. [5929]

§ Peter Hain
I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

§ Adam Price
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government will advocate lifting the economic sanctions imposed upon Iraq. [6403]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
UN sanctions on Iraq can only be lifted when Iraq complies with its obligations under Security Council resolutions, including on disarmament. To date, Iraq has refused to do so. Resolution 1284, a UK initiative, introduced the prospect of sanctions suspension, if Iraq co-operates with UN weapons inspectors to a standard well short of that required for sanctions lift. Again, Iraq refuses to engage. In an effort to alleviate the plight of the Iraqi people, the UK and US recently proposed changes to the sanctions regime. Under our proposals there would be no sanctions on ordinary imports, only controls on military and weapons-related goods. Despite widespread international support for this approach, the Security Council was unable to agree the details of the new arrangements earlier this month. But we remain serious about addressing the welfare needs of the Iraqi people and focusing controls on Iraq's weapons. We will continue to work for the adoption of the new approach as soon as possible.