§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many targeted weapons of mass destruction sites have been inspected in Iraq by Coalition forces; and what has been found. [110268]
§ Mr. Hoon [holding answer 28 April 2003]As at 20 May 2003, Coalition forces had initiated investigations into 99 sites within Iraq which may be connected to programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction. Investigations have been initiated into a further 53 sites identified since the conflict began.
Such sites are only one potential form of evidence. Others forms of evidence could include samples of chemical or biological agents, delivery systems, documentation or interviews with relevant Iraqi personnel. Coalition forces have identified materials which may be related to Iraqi programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction, including vehicles which appear to match descriptions of mobile biological agent production facilities in the document "Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction" published on 24 September 2002, and as presented to the United Nations Security Council by the United States Secretary of State. Investigations continue. We expect gathering and collating evidence from these sites and from other sources to be a long and complex task.
§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many depleted uranium weapons have been dropped on Iraq since the start of recent hostilities by(a) value and (b) total weight by (i) UK and (ii) US forces. [110269]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 28 April 2003]: A total weight of around 1.92 tonnes of depleted uranium ammunition has been fired in Iraq by United Kingdom forces since the start of recent hostilities. I am withholding information regarding these munitions in accordance with exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Ordnance expended by US forces is a matter for the US authorities.
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§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what correspondence he has received from Mr. Abed Hassan Hamoudi of Basra; and if he will place copies of(a) such correspondence and (b) his response in the Library. [111108]
§ Mr. IngramAlthough Mr. Hamoudi has not written to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence directly, Ministers were made aware of a letter which Mr. Hamoudi sent to General Officer Commander 1 (UK) Division and were consulted on the terms of the reply. I am withholding copies of the correspondence under Exemption 12 of Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (privacy of the individual).
§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were flown by Iraqi military(a) aircraft, (b) helicopters and (c) unmanned aerial vehicles during the recent conflict; how many were destroyed by Coalition forces; and how many are now in the possession of Coalition forces. [114834]
§ Mr. IngramSince 19 March 2003, no sorties have been flown by Iraqi military aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles, although a number of helicopter sorties were flown in support of operations. Approximately 100 aircraft and 40 helicopters were destroyed by coalition forces during Operation TELIC and coalition forces are currently in control of approximately 400 aircraft, 250 helicopters and a number of unmanned aerial vehicles that remain in Iraq.