HC Deb 11 December 2002 vol 396 c332W
9. Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the recommendations set out in the UN Panel of Experts' report on the Democratic Republic of Congo. [84694]

Clare Short

We believe the broad thrust of the UN Panel of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo was useful but it contained some notable and deeply regrettable inaccuracies. We await further information on many of the claims made. We have asked specifically for information to substantiate the claims made against UK companies and nationals.

The current panel's mandate expired when it submitted its last report. We are likely to argue for an extension of the mandate in order that the report can be better substantiated.