Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 May 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 May 2005. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Monday, 23 May 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will institute a departmental inquiry into the Iraq Oil Programme for Food (a) to examine whether there was British involvement and (b) to assess the likely impact on relations with (i) Russia, (ii) France and (iii) China.

Answer: There are no plans to institute a departmental inquiry into the Iraq Oil for Food Programme. We are following closely the work of the Independent Inquiry Committee (IIC) established by the UN Secretary-General in April 2004 to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the UN's Iraq Oil for Food Programme. We support the inquiry and are co-operating fully with it. So far, the IIC has published two interim reports and we expect a final report this summer. Once the IIC has completed its investigations the Government will judge what further action might be appropriate as a result of any findings against British nationals or entities.We have no evidence to suggest that any findings relating to the role of the British Government at the UN Security Council, or the involvement of British nationals or entities in the Oil for Food Programme, will impact significantly on UK relations with Russia, France or China.As permanent members of the UN Security Council we worked closely with the Governments of Russia, France and China during the lifetime of the Oil for Food Programme and continue to do so on a wide range of issues.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 434 c29W; 58
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Corruption China Inquiries Iraq Food France Foreign relations Oil United Nations Russia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk