To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government’s policy is on disputes which might be considered by international courts or tribunals relating to the ownership and extraction rights of oil in Iraq. (130784)

The Government have no policy on this matter. It is for the Government of Iraq to choose what measures it puts in place to resolve disputes in relation to its hydrocarbon sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what types of oil contracts her Department has considered for recommendation to the Iraqi Government; what representations her Department received from international oil companies on such contracts prior to making recommendations to the Iraqi Government; and what contract preferences were expressed by companies in such representations. (130785)

We have made no recommendations to the Government of Iraq on the types of contract to include in its hydrocarbons legislation. We continue to urge Iraqi Ministers and officials to consider the benefits of a broad range of contract types and not to rule any out prematurely.

We have received no representations from international oil companies recommending particular contract types.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what definition she uses of (a) ‘production-sharing agreements’ for oil extraction and (b) ‘exploration and production contracts’ in the draft Iraqi hydrocarbons legislation. (130786)

There is no mention of the term “production- sharing agreements” in Iraq’s draft hydrocarbons legislation. The term ‘exploration and production contract’ does appear in the draft hydrocarbons legislation. However, interpretation of Iraqi legislation is a matter for the Government of Iraq.