Iraq (Hansard, 7 May 2003)

§ Llew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the statement the United Kingdom Ambassador to the United Nations made to the Security Council when UNSC Resolution 1441 was debated on 8 November 2002; and if he will summarise Ambassador Greenstock's comments on the non-automaticity of the resolution. [108056]

§ Mr. Rammell
A copy of Ambassador Greenstock's statement on the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1441 has been placed in the Library of the House. He said on that occasion,There is no 'automaticity' in this resolution. If there is a further Iraqi breach of its disarmament obligations, the matter will return to the Council for discussion as required in paragraph 12 [of Resolution 1441]. We would expect the Security Council then to meet its responsibilities.

§ Dr. Cable
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2003,Official Report, column 251W, on Iraq, whether there are claims by UK shareholders still outstanding in respect of the 1974 nationalisation of the Iraqi oil industry. [110919]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
We have not been able to trace any approach by UK shareholders regarding claims in respect of the 1974 nationalisation of the Iraqi oil industry.

§ Lynne Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether steps have been taken in Iraq to recruit specialists in the740W international justice sector; and what plans have been made for transitional justice processes. [110978]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
Our main priority at present is to secure stability in Iraq and to ensure that humanitarian needs are met. Reconstructing the judiciary and helping rebuild the criminal justice system will play an important role in achieving our goal of creating a secure and stable Iraq.

§ Lynne Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there have been delays in issuing licences to humanitarian agencies in Iraq. [110980]

§ Nigel Griffiths
I have been asked to reply.
The Government assess all export licence applications as quickly as possible. In most cases applications for Iraq have to be referred to the United Nations for consideration.
The Government are urgently considering additional measures to facilitate the export of humanitarian goods to Iraq.