Written question asked by Harold Best (Labour) on Monday, 13 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 October 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 20 October 2003 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 support the UK is giving to the Iraq Governing Council and cabinet.

Answer: Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the UK is giving to the Iraq Governing Council and cabinet. [132241] Mr. Rammell: Ministers have established a dialogue with Governing Council members and Iraqi Ministers on providing assistance. British officials in Iraq help the Council and Ministries with policy and resources. Budgets for the Council and Ministries for 2003-04 have been agreed with the Coalition. We are engaging Iraqi Ministers at political level. My right. hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, for example, hosted the Iraqi Foreign Minister on 7 October, and my noble Friend, the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean met members of the Governing Council when she visited Baghdad on 8 October. Our policy objective remains to hand over full authority to Iraqis as soon as is practicable.

Secondary information