Written question asked by Harold Best (Labour) on Monday, 2 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 July 2003. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Thursday, 3 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, if he will make a statement on progress with the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Answer: Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress with the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. [116956] Mr. MacShane: The Coalition is investing considerable effort in the search for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. Coalition forces are actively pursuing sites, documentation and personnel associated with Iraq's WMD programmes. The US, UK and Australia have deployed specialist personnel to carry out this task, and more will follow. The search process itself is painstaking and detailed; we want to establish the truth beyond doubt. Given Iraq's emphasis on concealment, it is hardly surprising that concrete evidence has not yet come to light. But the search is continuing and we remain confident that evidence of Iraq's secret WMD programmes will be uncovered.

Secondary information