HC Deb 11 June 2003 vol 406 cc868-70W
Linda Perham

To ask the Prime Minister when he will make a statement on what chemical or biological weapons have been found in Iraq. [116054]

The Prime Minister

I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June 2003,Official Report, columns 147–50.

Llew Smith

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress in implementation of the paper, A Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi People, arising from the Azores Atlantic Summit in March. [117624]

The Prime Minister

In the 10 weeks since we set out our "Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi people" the Coalition, and more recently the wider international community, has made significant progress towards implementing it. Saddam Hussein, his regime and the threat they posed with weapons of mass destruction have been removed by the Coalition. The Iraqi people are now able to live in peace, build the foundations for democracy and good governance and pave the way for real prosperity. As each day passes the CPA are helping the Iraqis to restore essential services, especially health and education.

UN Security Council Resolution 1483 aims to help restore security and stability to enable Iraqis to form their own political future through a representative government based on the rule of law that affords equal rights and justice to all citizens.

Resolution 1483 has also lifted sanctions and called on UN member states to assist Iraq with humanitarian aid, ensure Iraqis will benefit from their oil revenue, and stresses the need to address Iraq's debt.

Llew Smith

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee since the end of active hostilities in Iraq in respect of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. [117628]

The Prime Minister

I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings under exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Llew Smith

To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library copies of the pre-publication drafts of his dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. [117630]

The Prime Minister

I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June,Official Report, columns 147–50.

Llew Smith

To ask the Prime Minister what the source was of his statement in the preface to the dossier, Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction, dated 24 September 2002, that the Iraqi regime's military planning allows for some of the weapons of mass destruction to be ready within 45 minutes of an order to use them; and on what evidence he based his assessment of the truth of this claim. [117631]

The Prime Minister

I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June,Official Report, columns 147–50.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Prime Minister when he first agreed in principle with the US Administration that British forces would take part in a war against Iraq; and what(a) conditions and (b) circumstances he required to be satisfied for their use in military operations. [117963]

The Prime Minister

The decision to resort to military action to ensure that Iraq fulfilled its obligations imposed by successive UN Security Council Resolutions was taken only after other routes to disarm Iraq had failed. I decided to commit United Kingdom forces after securing the approval of the House in the vote on 18 March.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the benefits obtained by the United Kingdom from the participation of British forces in the Iraq war. [118474]

The Prime Minister

I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith),Official Report, column 150 and to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd), Official Report, column 156, at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June.

Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to publish in full the report of the Intelligence and Security Committee into Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. [117981]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June,Official Report, columns 147–50.

Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Prime Minister (1) when the Joint Intelligence Committee first told him of the possibility of Iraqi forces being able to launch a biological or chemical attack within 45 minutes; and whether the information was provided(a) verbally and (b) in writing; [117982]

(2) which of his (a) cabinet and (b) special advisers were told of the briefing from the Joint Intelligence Committee about the possibility of Iraqi forces being able to launch a biological or chemical attack within 45 minutes prior to the publication of the information. [117983]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June 2003,Official Report, columns 147—50.