Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 15 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 March 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 March 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 Answer of 15th December 2003, 415 c733W, on Iraq, if he will make a statement on the extent of the involvement of Mr Nadhmi Auchi in the company which has been awarded the licence for the provision of mobile telecommunications services in the central region of Iraq including Baghdad.

Answer: Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 15 December 2003, Official Report, column 733W, on Iraq, if he will make a statement on the extent of the involvement of Mr. Nadhmi Auchi in the company which has been awarded the licence for the provision of mobile telecommunications services in the central region of Iraq including Baghdad. [149424] Mr. Rammell: The Coalition Provisional Authority has informed us that the licence for the central Iraq sector, including Baghdad, was awarded to Orascom Iraq Holding Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, an Egyptian joint stock company. As the company is registered outside the UK, we are not in a position to verify information on its shareholders. Only UK registered companies are required to list their shareholders with Companies House.

Secondary information