Written question asked by Tony Baldry (Conservative) on Monday, 31 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 April 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Friday, 4 April 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether UK forces will seek to deliver humanitarian relief in disputed territory in Iraq.

Answer: Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether UK forces will seek to deliver humanitarian relief in disputed territory in Iraq. [106844] Mr. Ingram: Until the security situation in Iraq stabilises enough for civilian aid agencies to deploy fully, United Kingdom forces will continue to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq where it is needed and where they are able to do so. However, we cannot deliver that assistance if doing so poses unacceptable risks to British soldiers. By disguising his militia as civilians, Saddam Hussein is disrupting the provision of aid. This is entirely consistent with the disregard he has always shown towards his own people.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 106844; 402 c882W;402 c880W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed forces Armed conflict International assistance Humanitarian aid Iraq Iraq conflict
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk