Written question asked by David Winnick (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 June 1998. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Monday, 1 June 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will comment on the latest inspection of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq since the last agreement was reached; and what estimate has been made of the amount of such weapons left. - Inc fact that copies of report will be placed in Library (Dep 98/483).

Answer: Mr. Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest inspection of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq since the last agreement was reached; and what estimate has been made of the amount of such weapons left. [43337] Mr. Tony Lloyd: We are satisfied that Iraq has adhered to the commitments it gave to the UN Secretary-General on 23 February, and at present is allowing weapons inspections to proceed in line with its obligations under relevant Security Council Resolutions. The latest report by the Executive Chairman of the UN Special Commission, issued in April, reported little progress in verification of all 3 areas of WMD (Biological weapons, Chemical weapons and Ballistic missiles), as a result of 4 months of crisis. As a result of the latest report from the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA), the United Nations Security Council has agreed that the IAEA dedicate its resources to the implementation of Ongoing Monitoring and Verification of the nuclear capabilities of Iraq, subject to satisfactory Iraqi responses to outstanding IAEA questions and concerns prior to the issue of the next IAEA report (October 1998). Copies of these reports will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information