Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Monday, 13 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 October 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 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, how many women have been appointed to the preparatory committee working on the drafting of the new Iraqi constitution.

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many women have been appointed to the preparatory committee working on the drafting of the new Iraqi constitution. [132149] Mr. Rammell: We were disappointed that no women were appointed to the preparatory constitutional committee. In our discussions with the Governing Council and other Iraqi institutions we continue to stress the importance of women's issues being fully addressed in constitutional discussions to ensure that women are able to play a full role in public life. We are in regular contact with Songul Omar and Dr. Raja Habib Khurzai on the Governing Council and Nesreen Mustafa Sidiq Berwari, the Minister for Public Works. My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean met one of the women on the Governing council, and the one woman Minister, during her recent visit to Baghdad.

Secondary information