Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the new Iraqi constitution.

Answer: Mr. David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the new Iraqi constitution. [198753] Mr. Rammell: According to the Transitional Administrative Law, the Transitional National Assembly, which will be elected in January next year, shall write a draft of the permanent constitution by no later than 15 August 2005. UN Security Council Resolution 1546 envisages a leading role for the UN in promoting national discussion and consensus building on the drafts of the constitution. The draft shall be presented to the Iraqi people for approval in a general referendum to be held no later than 15 October 2005. The general referendum will be successful and the draft constitution ratified if a majority of the voters in Iraq approve and if two-thirds of the voters in three or more governorates do not reject it.

Secondary information