Written question asked by Emily Thornberry (Labour) on Friday, 21 April 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 April 2017. It was answered by Boris Johnson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 26 April 2017 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq: Chemical Weapons

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the progress of the Iraqi Government in implementing its plans for the destruction of remnants of chemical weapons stored at the Al-Muthanna complex; what assessment he has made of the security situation at that complex; and what assessment he has made of the potential threat posed by the spread of chemical weapons stored at that complex.

Answer: In March 2017, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Executive Council agreed an approach proposed by Iraq to dealing with the remaining remnants of Saddam-era chemical weapons programme remaining in bunkers at Al-Muthanna in Iraq. We understand that the remaining materials are in poor condition which makes them hazardous to access and handle. However we continue to press the Government of Iraq to proceed as swiftly as possible and to ensure the security of the site.

Secondary information