Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 May 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 May 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of how long existing food stocks will last without replenishment in (a) Northern, (b) Central and (c) Southern Iraq. - Inc figures.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of how long existing food stocks will last without replenishment in (a) northern, (b) central and (c) southern Iraq. [111699] Clare Short: World Food Programme (WFP) reports indicate that the amount of food distributed by the Oil for Food Programme (OFF) prior to the start of the conflict varies by region. WFP is currently in discussion with Iraq's Ministry of Trade and OFF Public Distribution System officials to ascertain the levels of food pre-positioned at local level. WFP estimates that existing family food stocks could begin running out soon. The WFP has pipeline stocks for May and June 2003, although there are shortages of some commodities. On 24 April 2003, the UN Security Council unanimously agreed to extend provisions of resolution 1472 from 12 May until 3 June 2003. This enables the UN to process those existing orders under the Oil for Food (OFF) programme which can be dispatched to Iraq by 3 June 2003. Outside of OFF, WFP are also procuring some foodstuffs from the region. They are aiming to build up supplies similar to those previously supplied by the Oil for Food Programme (480,000 tonnes of food per month) as soon as possible. Meanwhile, food continues to be distributed through the OFF Public Distribution System wherever possible.

Secondary information