Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 26 June 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 July 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 July 2000 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 amounts of Iraq's supplies of (a) botulinum, (b) anthrax, (c) aflatoxin, (d) gas gangrene and (e) ricin remain unaccounted for; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amounts of Iraq's supplies of (a) botulinum, (b) anthrax, (c) aflatoxin, (d) gas gangrene and (e) ricin remain unaccounted for; and if he will make a statement. [128179] Mr. Hain: Iraq took four years to admit it had a biological weapons (BW) programme. Even after a further three and a half years work, the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) could not compile a comprehensive technical, industrial and scientific assessment of Iraq's BW programme. This was because of Iraq's failure to provide a credible full final and complete disclosure of its programme, as required by the United Nations, or to co-operate with UNSCOM in clarifying its declarations. There have been no UN weapons inspections in Iraq since December 1998, hence the importance we attach to the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) gaining access at the earliest opportunity.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 128179; 353 c222W;353 c220W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Chemical and biological warfare Biological weapons Inspections Iraq UN Special Commission on Iraq
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk