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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make representations to the UN Sanctions Committee for the early release of (a) food-testing equipment and (b) equipment to combat cancer, which is being held from entry into Iraq. [147375] Mr. Wilson: The UK works consistently in the UN Sanctions Committee to facilitate the export to Iraq of humanitarian goods such as those described by the hon. Member. We will continue to do so. If the hon. Member, or any other hon. Member, is aware of any specific examples of such goods on hold by any member of the Sanctions Committee, we are prepared to look into the matter and, where appropriate, make representations bilaterally and in the Sanctions Committee. The UK only place holds on goods where there is insufficient information about the goods or their intended end-use or because the goods have military as well as civilian applications. The hold is lifted as soon as we receive the information required to reassure us that the goods will not be used for purposes prohibited by Security Council resolutions. I am anxious further to refine this process in any way which is consistent with UN Security Council resolutions and also the humanitarian interests of the Iraqi people.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

147375; 363 c260-1W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Cancer International assistance Humanitarian aid Iraq Food Medical equipment United Nations UN resolutions Sanctions

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk