Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 11 June 2008 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Non-Governmental Organisations (Iraq)

Question: According to The Independent on 6 June, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York holds £25 billion worth of Iraqi oil reserves, so what are the British Government doing to facilitate the release of some of that money, in a planned programme, to the Iraqi Government and to the NGOs involved, in order to relieve suffering in a country where 2 million people have been displaced from their homes and millions more lack basic services? Would that not help to establish much greater stability in that country, where the people have suffered for far too long?

Answer: The hon. Gentleman is right to focus on the suffering of the people of Iraq. That is why, since 2003, the Department and the Government have provided £149 million in humanitarian assistance. With respect to the US Federal Reserve, it is not for us to comment on negotiations between the US military and the Iraqi Government. Needless to say, we are in close contact with the US and Iraq as they formulate their views on the detail and structure of their long-term relationship. I assure the House that we will ensure that future civilian assistance and any future military assistance to Iraq will be based on a sound legal and political footing.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 477 c293
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Development aid Finance Iraq Oil Politics and government USA Reconstruction Non-governmental organisations Reserves
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk