Written question asked by Julia Drown (Labour) on Friday, 12 May 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 May 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Thursday, 18 May 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 assessment he has made of the conclusion of former UNSCOM officials that Iraq has been disarmed of its weapons of mass destruction.

Answer: Ms Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conclusion of former UNSCOM officials that Iraq has been disarmed of its weapons of mass destruction. [122535] Mr. Hain: Up until its withdrawal from Iraq in December 1998, UNSCOM consistently reported to the United Nations Security Council that serious gaps remained in Iraq's declarations on chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missiles. In March 1999, the United Nations Disarmament Panel confirmed UNSCOM's analysis. We therefore believe it is essential that Iraq allows United Nations weapons inspectors to resume their work.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 122535; 350 c222W;350 c224W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Chemical and biological warfare Inspections Iraq Nuclear weapons Monitoring Verification UN Special Commission on Iraq
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk