Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 12 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 October 2004. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Thursday, 21 October 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, what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives in Vienna have had with officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning the alleged removal of dual use material and equipment from Iraq; when these discussions took place; and if he will make a statement; what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives in Washington DC have had with officials of the US Administration concerning the removal of dual use material and equipment from Iraq; and if he will make a statement; what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives in Baghdad have had with officials of the Iraqi Administration concerning the removal of dual use material and equipment from Iraq; and if he will make a statement. - Inc ref to 425 c142-3, 12 October 2004.

Answer: Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives in Vienna have had with officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning the alleged removal of dual use material and equipment from Iraq; when these discussions took place; and if he will make a statement; [191575] (2) what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives in Washington DC have had with officials of the US Administration concerning the removal of dual use material and equipment from Iraq; and if he will make a statement; [191576] (3) what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives in Baghdad have had with officials of the Iraqi Administration concerning the removal of dual use material and equipment from Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [191578] Mr. MacShane: To date there have been no formal discussions of this issue with the US Administration, the Iraq Interim Government or the International Atomic Energy Agency. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in reply to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 12 October 2004, Official Report, columns 142-43, that he would seek further details concerning the reports of the removal of dual-use goods and equipment from Iraq. Discussions with a range of interlocutors will form a part of that investigation.

Secondary information