Written question asked by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 June 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 June 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development, pursuant to her Answer of 15th May 2003 at 405 c394W, if he will make a statement on the discussions as soon as they are concluded; pursuant to the Answer of 15th May 2003 at 405 c394-5W, on Iraq, what steps the Department will take should the food stocks run out. - Includes figure.

Answer: Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development (1) pursuant to her answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 394W, if he will make a statement on the discussions as soon as they are concluded; [116033] (2) pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, columns 394-95W, on Iraq, what steps the Department will take should the food stocks run out. [116066] Hilary Benn: Food stocks are not expected to run out in Iraq. The World Food Programme (WFP) is making arrangements to enable it to purchase wheat from Iraq's 2003 harvest. WFP also report that food is entering Iraq from neighbouring countries at a significantly increased rate. The first post-war distribution of food stocks began on 1 June 2003. DFID has provided £33 million to WFP to support their work in Iraq.

Secondary information