Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 January 2001. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Monday, 22 January 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the operation of the oil for food programme in relation to Iraq. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the operation of the "Oil for Food" programme in relation to Iraq. [145240] Mr. Hain: The "Oil for Food" programme has grown eightfold since 1997. Providing billions of dollars of humanitarian relief to the Iraqi people again this year, "Oil for Food" remains the largest UN aid programme ever. "Fast-track" procedures introduced by the UN last year mean that more goods, including foodstuffs, medical, agricultural, educational, water and sanitation supplies and oil spare parts no longer require Sanctions Committee approval, thus reaching the Iraqi people more quickly. So far this year, more than $3 billion worth of goods have been processed in this way. However, despite the programme's success, we remain concerned that a lack of cooperation from the Iraqi regime continues to hamper the delivery of this aid to the Iraqi people.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 361 c405-6W;361 c406-7W; 145240
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: International assistance Humanitarian aid Iraq Food Oil Trade United Nations UN resolutions Sanctions
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk