Written question asked by Patrick Mercer (Conservative) on Wednesday, 29 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 February 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations she made to the US Department of State in the development of their contingency plans for humanitarian assistance following military action in Iraq announced by the State Department of the 16th of January; if she will make a statement on the contingency plans that have been developed by the Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department for the provision of humanitarian assistance to Iraq; what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on (a) the problems caused to delivering humanitarian assistance to Iraq posed by Iraqi air defences and (b) the provision of British troops in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Iraq; what consultation her Department's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department has had with the Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense in the development of contingency plans for providing humanitarian assistance to Iraq in the event of any military action in the region; what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the use of British forces to provide protection for relief workers in Iraq.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 399 c294W;399 c293-4W; 95169;95171;95170;95168;95176
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed forces Armed conflict International assistance Humanitarian aid Iraq Protection Staff USA Iraq conflict
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk