Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Marlesford (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 22 October 2009.

Iraq

Question: My Lords, I am afraid that I do not follow the Minister’s last point. Indeed, we have already made a huge contribution to helping Iraq, and I am delighted that this training exercise will take place. However, Iraq in 2008 produced an average of 2.4 million barrels of oil a day. At current prices, that is worth about $70 billion. I should have thought that we are rather more strapped for cash than they are. Should they not be paying for this very useful service?

Answer: Well, in the words of my business career, we are where we are. We have made the deal, we are going to honour it, and we think that it is a worthwhile deal to honour. We think that we are doing a good job and that it is a worthwhile job.

Secondary information