Iraq (Hansard, 12 November 2003)

§ Glenda Jackson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility of order 39, issued by the Coalition Administration of Iraq, with(a) paragraph 43 of the 1907 Hague regulations, (b) the 4th Geneva Convention and (c) UNSCR 1483. [135761]

§ Mr. Rammell
The Government are satisfied that UNSCR 1483 (2003) provides a sound legal basis for the CPA Foreign Investment Order. Resolution 1483 authorises the Coalition to undertake activities to promote economic reform in Iraq, in coordination with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General.

§ Linda Perham
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has(a) to contribute funds to the reconstruction of Iraq and (b) to develop and implement investment programmes to aid in that reconstruction. [136586]

§ Mr. Rammell
At the Iraq Donors Conference held in Madrid on 23 and 24 October my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) announced the UK contribution of £544 million for reconstruction and investment projects in Iraq.

§ Linda Perham
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to help with the repayment of Iraqi debt. [136587]

§ Mr. Rammell
The UK is playing a very active role in achieving a sustainable solution to Iraq's debt. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is promoting a multilateral settlement through the Paris Club. G7 Finance Ministers have called for this to be achieved by the end of 2004, and for non-Paris Club members to co-operate with this process. A moratorium on debt repayment has been agreed by the members of the Paris Club for that period.