HC Deb 25 February 2003 vol 400 cc435-6W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans he has to limit the damage to Iraq's power supply in the event of war. [97482]

Mr. Hoon

Any military action would be in conformity with international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. In all our military planning, very careful attention is applied to minimising the risk of damage to civilian infrastructure. I am withholding further information under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the feasibility of establishing safe havens in Iraq in the event of war. [97485]

Mr. Hoon

In the event of any military operation, we would take very seriously our obligations to the civilian population of Iraq and our contingency planning takes this into account.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans have been made for(a) civilian casualties and (b) humanitarian operations in the event of military action in Iraq; what role British forces will play in such operations; whether he has issued formal guidance on (a) and (b); and if he will make a statement. [97772]

Dr. Moonie

Unlike Saddam Hussein, the United Kingdom takes very seriously its current and potential responsibilities towards the Iraqi people. In the event of conflict, United Kingdom forces will take the utmost care to minimise the risk to the civilian population through the careful choice of targets and the selection of weapons appropriate to those targets.

Although it is to be hoped that Iraq may yet choose to comply fully with UNSCR 1441, detailed contingency planning is underway to take into account the humanitarian consequences of any potential conflict. Formal guidance will be issued in the unfortunate circumstance that it becomes necessary to do so.

Mr. Bellingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with(a) the US Administration and (b) others concerning the protection and preservation of Iraq's ancient cities and monuments in the event of military conflict in the Gulf; and if he will make a statement. [97871]

Mr. Hoon

Any military action would be in conformity with international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. In all our military planning, very careful attention is applied to minimising the risk of damage to all civilian sites. I am withholding further information under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

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