§ Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the US Government about the treatment of Iraqi prisoners.[107521]
§ Mr. RammellWe have made no representations to the US Government about Iraqi nationals in its detention. The US is a State Party to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The treatment of persons in its detention is primarily a matter for the US as Detaining Power.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 25 March 2003,Official Report, column 120W, on Iraq, whether he received a copy of (a) the full declaration and (b) the declaration as circulated to non-Security Council members. [107804]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienCopies of both the full version and the edited version subsequently distributed to other UN Security Council members were provided to us by the United Nations.
§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the principle of a US-controlled government in post-war Iraq.[107835]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe want to see a phased transfer of authority leading to a new and effective representative Iraqi Government as soon as possible. We will work with the UN and the international community to help the people of Iraq to achieve this aspiration.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visas have been issued to Iraqi directors of UK(a) banks and (b) companies to come from Iraq to London on business in the last three years.[107974]
§ Mr. RammellOur diplomatic post in Iraq has been closed during the last three years. However, Iraqi nationals are permitted to apply for visas, including business visit visas, at any British diplomatic post. Inquiries would therefore, need to be made to all our 164 visa sections to search their records for the last three years in order to obtain the answer to this question. The cost of this would be disproportionate.
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 17 March 2003,Official Report, column 550W, on Iraq, what steps he is taking to protect the Kurds of Northern Iraq from an advance by the Turkish army which has mobilised in Northern Iraq.[107999]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Coalition is working for peace and stability throughout Iraq. We and the US maintain regular contact with the Turkish Government and Kurdish leaders, including a meeting between, my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary and the Turkish Foreign Minister, Gul, in the margins of the European Council on 21 March. In addition British officials hold ongoing discussions with the principal Turkish parties in Turkey.
528W
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Iraqi organisations will be invited by Major General Robin Brims to the Southern Iraq regional conference on the post-conflict administration and reconstruction; and which of these are women's organisations. [109213]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMajor General Brims has no plans to organise a conference in Southern Iraq. However, the coalition are considering organising a conference in Southern Iraq to discuss post-conflict issues. The invitation list has not yet been set. We expect a wide range of representatives of internal and external Iraqi groups to be present.