Written question asked by Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 March 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 11 March 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the contribution of United Kingdom forces to the delivery of humanitarian aid in Iraq.

Answer: Mrs. Liddell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make an assessment of the contribution of United Kingdom forces to the delivery of humanitarian aid in Iraq. [143725] Mr. Ingram: Enabling the delivery of humanitarian aid has been a key priority for UK forces since the end of major combat operations on 1 May 2003. In the period immediately after major combat operations ended UK forces cleared mines and other dangers in the waterway leading to Umm Qasr port and made safe the port area itself, opening the most important route into Iraq for humanitarian aid. Since then UK forces have delivered limited amounts of aid themselves and, when requested, have provided assistance to Non-Governmental Organisations working on humanitarian programmes in Iraq.

Secondary information