Written question asked by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 November 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 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, pursuant to his reply of 26th October 2004 425 c1177W, if he will list those import items, prohibited under UN sanctions, referred to in paragraph 2, page 3 of the ISG Regime Finance and Procurement, by (a) type, (b) quantity and (c) value; and if he will list those trade intermediaries involved in these activities.

Answer: Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his reply of 26 October 2004, Official Report, column 1177W, if he will list those import items, prohibited under UN sanctions, referred to in paragraph 2, page 3 of the ISG Regime Finance and Procurement, by (a) type, (b) quantity and (c) value; and if he will list those trade intermediaries involved in these activities. [195195] Mr. Rammell: Under the terms of United Nations Security Council resolutions implementing sanctions and the Oil for Food Programme, Iraq was only permitted to import items approved by the UN Security Council's Iraq Sanctions Committee. The report from the Iraq Survey Group points to the former Iraqi regime implementing strategies to procure illicit goods. We are unable to assess precisely the type, quantity and value of those goods. There have been widespread allegations that a number of individuals and entities around the world were complicit in corruption under the programme and through smuggling, for their own benefit and the benefit of the former regime. However, it would be premature to comment on the allegations until the independent inquiry appointed by the UN Secretary-General has reported its findings.

Secondary information