Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 July 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 14 July 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, pursuant to his memorandum to the Foreign Affairs Committee of 16th June, which documents were examined which were found to be forgeries; which documents on Iraq's alleged uranium procurement are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the procedure being used to distinguish between genuine and forged documents.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his memorandum to the Foreign Affairs Committee of 16 June, which documents were examined which were found to be forgeries; which documents on Iraq's alleged uranium procurement are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the procedure being used to distinguish between genuine and forged documents. [123655] Mr. Rammell: We understand that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acquired documents on this subject in February 2003. These documents did not originate in the United Kingdom. Some of these turned out to be forgeries. We have now seen the documents passed to the IAEA and agree that some of them are forgeries. Others are still under consideration. We do not know the precise origin or history of these documents. I cannot comment on procedures to distinguish between different documents or on the documents themselves, as it is the longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 123655; 409 c46W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Evidence Intelligence services Forgery Documents Iraq Weapons Uranium
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk