Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Thursday, 19 February 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 February 1998. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 February 1998 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 16th February, Official Report, 306, c489W, for what reasons it is not his policy to list the British manufacturers of equipment found by inspectors in Iraq.

Answer: Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 16 February 1998, Official Report, column 489, for what reasons it is not his policy to list the British manufacturers of equipment found by inspectors in Iraq. [31273] Mr. Tony Lloyd: It is not our practice to reveal the identity of British manufacturers whose equipment has been found by UNSCOM in Iraq, because it is UNSCOM's practice to disclose such information to Governments on a confidential basis when it considers this may assist its investigations. That confidentiality must be maintained if UNSCOM is to be able to follow up information on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programmes effectively.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 31273; 307 c241W;307 c241-2W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Disclosure of information Defence Arms trade Defence equipment Inspections Industry Iraq UN Special Commission on Iraq