§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of opening Basra International Airport to non-governmental commercial and passenger flights for(a) trade with and (b) the reconstruction of Iraq. [135361]
§ Mr. RammellOpening Basra airport to commercial aviation would have a positive effect on trade and reconstruction. We intend that the airport should be 549W opened to commercial aviation as soon as possible once the relevant security and other requirements have been met.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the coalition governments have had with Red Crescent officials regarding involvement in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [135598]
§ Mr. RammellThe Coalition Provisional Authority has had contacts with the Iraqi Red Crescent Society, which is active throughout the country. The Iraqi Red Crescent Society works with the local authorities in the search for, and identification of bodies in, mass graves; contacting families and assisting with burials; basic first aid; ambulance services; and rehabilitation of its four hospitals.
§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United States State Department informed the Government of the outcome of the work undertaken by the working groups on the likely political, economic and security situation in a post-invasion Iraq. [135628]
§ Mr. MacShaneThere have been frequent and regular meetings between the Government and members of the United States State Department before, during and after the conflict, at which all aspects of policy in Iraq have been discussed.