Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Monday, 14 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 September 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 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 steps the United Kingdom representatives in Iraq have taken to ensure leaders of the former Ba'ath Party in Iraq are not given senior administrative or political positions.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the United Kingdom representatives in Iraq have taken to ensure leaders of the former Ba'ath Party in Iraq are not given senior administrative or political positions. [126307] Mr. Rammell: On 16 May, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) issued an Order disestablishing the Ba'ath Party. This Order removes and bars all members of the Ba'ath Party at the rank of Senior Member and above from positions of authority in the future. All Ba'ath Party members suspected of criminal conduct will be investigated and, if necessary, detained. The fifth CPA Order established the de-Ba'athification Council, an Iraqi body reporting to the CPA to vet former members of the Ba'ath Party for future Government employment. The Coalition has, therefore, been very careful when re-staffing the Ministries, in consultation with the Governing Council, not to include senior Ba'thists: the CPA has a vigorous vetting procedure for senior positions.

Secondary information