§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the(a) extent and (b) accessibility of oil under Iraqi sovereignty; and what recent (a) representations she has received from and (b) discussions she has had with BP on this matter. [90790]
§ Mr. WilsonIraq's proven oil reserves are estimate to be 112.5 billion barrels which amounts to over 10 per cent. of the world's total reserves. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is in regular contact with all the major UK oil companies, but "Under Exemption 13, third party commercials confidences of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on access to government information", I am not able to comment on specific commercial issues.