Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 7 February 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 February 2007. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 February 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq: Weapons

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what examination has been undertaken since 2003 of (a) surviving and (b) deceased political prisoners imprisoned under the Saddam Hussein regime to establish which (i) biological and (ii) chemical weapons-related material had been tested on them.

Answer: [holding answer 19 February 2007]: The United Kingdom has not undertaken any examination since 2003 of surviving or deceased political prisoners imprisoned under Saddam Hussein's regime, to establish which biological or chemical weapons-related material had been tested on them.We have developed forensic examination capacity within the government of Iraq by helping to establish forensic training centres in Baghdad and Basra. In addition, we have funded forensics training for professionals who it is hoped will work in the National Centre for Missing and Disappeared Persons.

Secondary information