Compensation For British Citizens Trapped In Iraq And Kuwait

EDM number 452 in 1992-93, proposed by Mike Gapes on 08/07/1992.

That this House notes that as a result of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait many British people trapped in Kuwait and Iraq suffered the loss of their personal possessions, homes, jobs and businesses, and in some cases even their lives; notes that in addition, many continue to suffer severe psychological distress because of what happened to them during the invasion and occupation, which has been exacerbated by the considerable practical problems that they have had to face since the end of the conflict; further notes that the United Nations Compensation Fund, established by United Nations Security Council resolutions to pay compensation for physical loss and mental pain and anguish to those affected by the conflict, relies on the sale of Iraqi oil for its funds and that the Iraqis show no sign of changing their policy of refusing to sell any oil; and therefore calls on the Government to urgently raise this matter in the United Nations so that a solution to the deadlock can be found and, recognising that urgent action is desperately needed to alleviate the severe financial hardship that many of these people are facing so that they are better able to deal with their psychological distress, to make interim payments to those British citizens claiming from the fund, which would be recovered from fund payments when they are eventually made, and by example to urge other governments to do the same for their nationals.

This motion has been signed by a total of 25 MPs.