Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 November 1999. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 November 1999 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what response he has made to the report of the Bishop of Coventry and his ecclesiastical colleagues on their recent visit to Baghdad and their assessment of the policy of UN sanctions against Iraq.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to the report of the Bishop of Coventry and his ecclesiastical colleagues on their recent visit to Baghdad and their assessment of the policy of UN sanctions against Iraq. [95458] Mr. Hain: Officials from the Foreign Office have a regular dialogue about Iraq with the Church of England through the Board for Social Responsibility's International and Development Affairs Committee. This has included discussion of the recent visit to Iraq by the Bishop of Coventry and his colleagues. We are aware of the Bishops' views on the sanctions regime on Iraq and have briefed them on the Government's position. We share the Bishops' concern for the humanitarian situation in Iraq and have undertaken to keep them informed of our continuing efforts to improve it.

Secondary information