Written question asked by Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative) on Monday, 31 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 February 2005. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Friday, 4 February 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the objectives of British commercial policy in Iraq.

Answer: Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the objectives of British commercial policy in Iraq. [213528] Ms Hewitt: The Government want to see a vibrant private sector in Iraq that will create jobs and economic growth for the Iraqi people in the future. We also want to see UK companies play a substantial role in the reconstruction of Iraq's essential infrastructure. It is essential that the right skills and resources are utilised in the reconstruction process. The UK private sector has many of these.

Secondary information