HC Deb 23 January 2002 vol 378 cc887-8W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has been given indicating whether the al-Qaeda network has a presence in Iraq. [28894]

Mr. Bradshaw

I have seen no evidence which demonstrates that an al-Qaeda network exists in Iraq.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United States Administration on extension of the war on terrorism to Iraq. [28895]

Mr. Bradshaw

We frequently discuss all aspects of Iraq policy with our US counterparts. We are not speculating about the prospects of military action beyond Afghanistan.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on sanctions on Iraq; and what plans there are to end them. [28892]

Mr. Bradshaw

UN controls on Iraq, imposed after its invasion of Kuwait in 1990, have successfully contained Iraq's ability to attack its neighbours, use chemical weapons against the Iraqi people and develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD)—all of which are part of its quite recent history. UN resolution 1284, a UK initiative, continues to offer Iraq the route out of these controls, if it chooses to co-operate and meet its international obligations, particularly on the disposal of its WMD. All members of the Security Council believe that rigorous controls must however remain on the Iraqi regime while it refuses to co-operate. In the meantime, the UK continues to lead the way in refining these controls to improve the flow of goods to the Iraqi people, while maintaining control on the Iraqi regime's access to WMD/military-related items.