§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British personnel are searching for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; and how many sites they have visited. [115497]
§ Mr. HoonI have been asked to reply.
Coalition investigations into Iraqi programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction are moving from an initial approach based on specific sites to a broader approach, encompassing other forms of evidence such as documentation and interviews, under the auspices of the Iraq Survey Group. On current plans the United Kingdom contribution to the Iraq Survey Group will be around 90–100 personnel, military and civilian, supported by Coalition forces. As at 22 June 2003, Coalition forces had initiated investigations into 159 sites within Iraq, from a list of over 500, which may be connected to programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, investigations had been 940W initiated into a further 83 sites identified since the conflict began. We anticipate that further sites will be identified as investigations progress.
§ Jonathan ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) mass graves and (b) bodies have been discovered by United Kingdom and United States forces in Iraq. [121567]
§ Mr. RammellAt present, the coalition has received reports of more than 80 mass grave sites, and has confirmed the existence of more than 20. Estimates place the number of people executed by the Saddam Hussein regime at around 300,000, and some human rights organisations place this number higher.
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are to be used for the selection of members of the Iraqi council; and how many of those being considered are women. [121972]
§ Mr. RammellThe political council will be formed in consultation with representatives of a wide cross-section of Iraqi society and political groupings. We expect it to reflect Iraq's diversity, through the inclusion of representatives of the major ethnic and religious groups, geographical regions, women and professional people.
The UK attaches a high priority to the effective representation of women. We are working with Iraqis, with our coalition partners and with the United Nations Special Representative to achieve this.
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what timescale he envisages for the establishment of the Iraqi council announced by Mr. Paul Bremer; and what issues he expects to appear on the agenda of the council's first meeting. [121973]
§ Mr. RammellAmbassador Bremer's aim is for a political council to be established by the end of July.
No decisions have been taken yet on how it will operate. Among the first issues we expect the political council to deal with are the appointment of interim Ministers; and the setting up of commissions to deal with issues such as judicial and economic reform.