Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

My Noble Friend, the Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations (Lord Ahmad) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement:

The 20th March 2023 marks the twentieth anniversary of the beginning of the conflict in Iraq. This anniversary is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who served in the conflict. At this time, we pay particular regard to those service personnel, British, allied and Iraqi, as well as civilians who died or were wounded in the conflict in Iraq. It is also a time to reflect upon the conflict and Parliament’s role in it, and to restate the UK’s enduring commitment to support the development of a stable, prosperous and democratic future for all Iraqi people.

All of us will undoubtedly have in mind today the 179 British and allied personnel who lost their lives in the conflict. I pay tribute to them and to their bravery, and my sympathy goes out to their families for their loss. Their sacrifice and determination to make the world safer for all of us will never be forgotten. Next week Ministers from HM Government will attend commemorative events across the UK, remembering all those who served in the conflict and particularly those who gave the most. Today we have in our thoughts those service personnel that died, and those who were wounded or injured as a result of the conflict. We also remember and give thanks to all personnel of the UK armed forces who served in Iraq, and their families, who provided vital support at home whilst their loved ones were deployed.

We also have in mind the many Iraqi citizens who were killed during the conflict or who have died since in military operations, bombings, acts of terrorism or through sickness and disease. There is no doubt that the people of Iraq have faced enormous and grave challenges over the last twenty years.

As part of our remembrance, we must ensure we continue to implement the hard won and costly lessons. The UK Government has learned much from the Chilcot Inquiry and continues to draw upon it as we improve national security decision-making and implementation. The purpose of the Inquiry was to examine the United Kingdom’s involvement in the conflict in Iraq, including the way decisions were made and actions taken, to establish as accurately and reliably as possible what happened, and to identify lessons to be learned. The FCDO continues to institutionalise the Chilcot lessons learned across policy, operations and strategy so that staff are equipped to support decision-making and implementation in complex contexts.

We should also look forward. Today, the UK and Iraq share a close and enduring partnership, working together to address shared global challenges. Through the Global Coalition Against Daesh, NATO Mission Iraq and our long-term bilateral initiatives, we remain committed to Iraq in its fight to defeat Daesh and to enjoy peace and stability. We are working with the Government of Iraq to support economic reform, energy transition, human rights and freedom of religion and belief, and to mitigate the effects of climate change. These joint efforts to unlock Iraq’s immense potential, as represented by its young population, characterise the relationship in 2023.

I saw this for myself during my visit to Iraq at the end of February. There has been significant progress since 2003 but we are committed to supporting further progress and strengthening our partnership with Iraq. The UK remains committed to preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Government and people of Iraq to safeguard stability and deliver prosperity.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The Iraq Inquiry was independent of government, and the selection of its witnesses was a matter for the Inquiry. The Inquiry did not seek evidence from representatives of the countries listed.

Answering body: Ministry of Defence

The Government responded on 19 December 2017 to a 16 March 2017 Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee report (HC656) on Lessons still to be learned from the Chilcot Inquiry. This included an annex by the National Security Advisor which summarised the lesson learning process undertaken across the National Security Community in response to the Iraq Inquiry. The Ministry of Defence has no plans to publish any further progress reports, though considerable progress has been achieved in responding to the findings of the Iraq Inquiry Report. This includes introduction across the Department of a 'Guide to Reasonable Challenge' to ensure that decision-making is as well informed as possible; training and education on challenge, including at the Defence Academy; publication of a handbook for those involved in operational policy and its implementation ('The Good Operation', available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-good-operation);

a programme of increased professionalisation for those working in the policy profession; and work to improve the capture and curation of (and access to) knowledge. On 5 July 2018, the MOD is hosting a conference entitled Chilcot Two Years On which will take stock of progress in responding to the Report.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The report of the Chilcot Inquiry was published on 6 July and is available to access online in searchable format. The Government takes very seriously its responsibility to all military veterans, especially those who have been injured in conflict, and a range of support mechanisms are available to Iraq veterans where required, including support in the transition to civilian life and access to pension and compensation schemes where injured as a result of their service. We will, of course, engage with and support any individuals who are concerned by any findings of Sir John Chilcot’s report.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The report of the Chilcot Inquiry was published on 6 July and is available to access online in searchable format. The Government takes very seriously its responsibility to all military veterans, especially those who have been injured in conflict, and a range of support mechanisms are available to Iraq veterans where required, including support in the transition to civilian life and access to pension and compensation schemes where injured as a result of their service. We will, of course, engage with and support any individuals who are concerned by any findings of Sir John Chilcot’s report.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The report of the Chilcot Inquiry was published on 6 July and is available to access online in searchable format. The Government takes very seriously its responsibility to all military veterans, especially those who have been injured in conflict, and a range of support mechanisms are available to Iraq veterans where required, including support in the transition to civilian life and access to pension and compensation schemes where injured as a result of their service. We will, of course, engage with and support any individuals who are concerned by any findings of Sir John Chilcot’s report.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to my answer to the Hon Member for South West Wiltshire of today to UIN: PQ38695-PQ38697-38695.

Answering body: Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to Sir John Chilcot’s letter to me of 28 October 2015, and my reply of 29 October, copies of which can be found on the Iraq Inquiry website.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

An itemised year-by-year breakdown of the Inquiry’s costs can be found on the Inquiry’s website. (www.iraqinquiry.org.uk)

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The Chilcot Inquiry is independent of Government. No current Cabinet Office Ministers have met with Sir John Chilcott or any of his officials since the inquiry began.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The Chilcot Inquiry is independent of Government. No current Cabinet Office Ministers have met with Sir John Chilcott or any of his officials since the inquiry began.

Answering body: Prime Minister

The conduct of the "Maxwellisation" process is a matter for the independent Chilcot Inquiry.

Answering body: Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newport West (Mr Flynn) on 3 February 2015, UIN 222484.

Answering body: Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave it him on 9 June 2015, UIN 1272.

Answering body: Prime Minister

I have nothing further to add.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

I refer the hon. Member to answer given by My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister on 4 June 2015 to UIN 556.

Answering body: Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the former Member for Louth and Horncastle (Sir Peter Tapsell) and the former Member for Croydon South (Sir Richard Ottaway) at Prime Minister’s Questions on 21 January 2015, Official Report, columns 210-212.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The Iraq Inquiry is independent of Government. Timing of the delivery of its report to the Prime Minister is a matter for the Inquiry.