Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 August 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 September 2004. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Monday, 13 September 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 paragraph 442 of the Butler Report, HC 898, for what reasons there was an urgent requirement for intelligence.

Answer: Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to paragraph 442 of the Butler Report, HC 898, for what reasons there was an urgent requirement for intelligence. [187395] Mr. Straw: The urgent need for intelligence was a result of the international community's lack of reliable information as to Iraqi activities in the absence of UN inspectors between December 1998 and November 2002 caused by Iraq's continuing failure to meet its obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions. As the Butler Report itself states, obtaining intelligence on Iraq had been a long-standing high priority throughout the years of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 187395; 424 c1450W;424 c1448W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Iraq Weapons WMD Intelligence Review Committee Military intelligence
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk