Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 May 2003. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Monday, 12 May 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 he intends to take to make provision for UNMOVIC inspectors to return to the permissive areas south of Baghdad.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he intends to take to make provision for UNMOVIC inspectors to return to the permissive areas south of Baghdad. [111704] Mr. Mike O'Brien: Dr. Blix has himself stated that the circumstances are not right for the return of UN inspectors at present. If and when they do return, their tasks would have changed; their focus would be on monitoring and verification rather than detection. That would call for different skills, and some restructuring of their operation would be necessary.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 111704; 405 c81W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Inspections Iraq Weapons UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk