Written question asked by David Winnick (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 10 March 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Friday, 10 March 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 reports his Department has received of medicine brought into Iraq since sanctions started which has not been used for ordinary Iraqi civilians.

Answer: Mr. Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received of medicine brought into Iraq since sanctions started which has not been used for ordinary Iraqi civilians. [114123] Mr. Hain: We have received reports of widespread officials and black-market abuse of medical goods supplied to Iraq under the "oil for food" programme. We are aware, for example that such medicines are being sold by pharmacies in countries neighbouring Iraq. We have passed this information to the UN for further investigation.

Secondary information