HC Deb 07 May 2003 vol 404 cc720-1W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of aid to Iraq he estimates will arrive via Umm Qasr in April. [108055]

Mr. Ingram

Umm Qasr is one of several routes by which aid has entered and will continue to enter Iraq (including by land from Jordan and Kuwait). We do not record the amount of aid entering Iraq by non-United Kingdom Government Agencies so we cannot calculate the respective shares of the total. Once Umm Qasr is open to shipping we expect the proportion of aid entering Iraq by sea to rise significantly, since the rail links from the port to the rest of the country make it a particularly efficient way of handling bulk supplies of aid.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Government of Niger concerning the alleged sale of 500 pounds of uranium to Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [110416]

Mr. Hoon

None.

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why British hospital ships were(a) withdrawn from the Gulf area and (b) not made available for injured Iraqi civilians. [111060]

Dr. Moonie

The vast majority of injured Iraqi civilians have been treated at Iraqi hospitals and, in the United Kingdom's area of operations, we have made every effort to restore power, water and medical supplies to those facilities. Where necessary, Iraqis have been treated at UK medical facilities. Where appropriate medical facilities were not available in theatre, Iraqi civilians have been airlifted to UK hospitals for treatment.

RFA Argus, with a 100-bed capacity, made an important contribution to the campaign. However, the ship and her crew have completed their task and are thus returning from theatre. The following UK medical assets remain in theatre: 1 Close Support Medical Regiment—(1 (UK) Armoured Division) 5 General Support Medical Regiment—(1 (UK) Armoured Division) 16 Close Support Medical Regiment—(16 Air Assault Brigade) 4 General Support Medical Regiment—(102 Logistics Brigade) 34 Field Hospital—(102 Logistics Brigade) 202 (Volunteer) Field Hospital—(Reserves)

Mr Liddell-Grainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many territorial army troops were sent to the Gulf during the last four months. [111251]

Dr. Moonie

As at 30 April, 3,434 members of the Territorial Army have deployed to the Gulf during the last four months.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what field hospitals remain in the Gulf region. [112022]

Dr. Moonie

The United Kingdom currently has two field hospitals in the Gulf region. These are 34 Field Hospital, based at Shaibah in southern Iraq, and 202 Field Hospital (V) in northern Kuwait.