§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the decision to bomb command-and-control posts in Iraq was a joint decision of the US and UK Governments; and if he will make a statement. [76240]
§ Mr. HoonCoalition aircraft conduct patrols of the Iraqi no fly zones in support of UN SCR 688, which demanded an end to Saddam's repression of his own people. The aircrew conducting those patrols are regularly subjected to sustained attacks from Iraqi integrated air defences. The United States and United Kingdom government are in agreement that the coalition pilots facing such threats should be allowed to 435W respond in self defence against legitimate targets within the Iraqi Integrated Air Defence System posing a direct threat to them, as is permitted under international law.