Chemical Weapons and Parliament

As the Syria crisis continues, how did MPs and ministers react to a chemical attack in the Middle East 25 years ago?

►1988 and the Halabja attack

Iraqi planes dropped mustard gas and nerve agents on the Kurdish city of Halabja in March 1988, amidst continuing war with neighbouring Iran. The death toll would eventually be estimated between 3,200 and 5,000 -- with another 7,000-10,000 injuries. Chemical weapons had been used since the war began in 1980.

Scroll below for excerpts from the House of Commons Debates.

(Source: House of Commons Debates/Library of Parliament)

►Also watch this panel from the 2012 Halifax International Security Forum on Syria's Horror, The Middle East's Tragedy

Afra Jalabi (Syrian National Council), Safeen Muhsin Dizayee (Kurdistan Democratic Party), and Raghida Dergham (senior diplomatic correspondent, Al Hayat), discuss the ever-changing situation in the Middle East. (November 17, 2012)

-Compiled by Andrew Thomson