Written question asked by David Leslie Taylor (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 January 2005. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 January 2005 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 work his Department has undertaken in Iraq since 1st July 2004 to promote the benefits of trade union membership.

Answer: David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work his Department has undertaken in Iraq since 1 July 2004 to promote the benefits of trade union membership. [207717] Mr. Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office follows closely trade union issues in Iraq and supports the Department for International Development (DFID) activities in this area. Requests to support trade union activity in Iraq from UNISON and the International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR), in partnership with Iraqi organisations, have been approved under DFID's Civil Society Fund (CSF). In addition, a proposal from the Trades Union Congress has been received for consideration under the CSF.

Secondary information