Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Thursday, 16 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 June 2005. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 June 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Incendiary Weapons (Iraq)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Leyton, deposited in the Library, correcting his January parliamentary answer about the use of incendiary weapons in Iraq, how he discovered that his answer was incorrect; when he first discovered that it was incorrect; whether the use of the weapons were in the area of Falluja; whether any civilian settlements were in the area; where the weapons were used; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: On 20 April, my attention was drawn to reports that the US State Department had confirmed the use of MK 77 firebombs in Iraq in 2005, contrary to the answer given to my hon. Friend, the member for Leyton and Wanstead, 11 January 2005, Official Report, column 374W. Ministry of Defence officials sought clarification from the Pentagon and I wrote to my hon. Friend as soon as possible after this had been received in June.Where, and against which targets the weapons were used is a matter for the US authorities.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6232; 435 c1395W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Ministry of Defence
Tuesday, 11 January 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Iraq Peacekeeping operations