BRITISH business is now well placed to pick up the "spoils of war" from the conflict in Iraq, according to a North Yorkshire-based Government adviser.

Iain Dale, of Low Marishes, near Malton, had warned before the second Gulf War that UK entrepreneurs must be ready to step in and bid to be a part of the economic reconstruction of Iraq following the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Today, he said they were well poised to get involved in lucrative projects worth millions of pounds.

Mr Dale, former chairman of Filey-based Dale Electric International plc, made it clear that he was not speaking in his role as the Government's ambassador for British business when he told the Evening Press shortly before the outbreak of war that Britain must be ready not to lose out to American business.

He said rebuilding Kuwait after the last Gulf war had been Britain's "biggest lost opportunity".

But today he said: "Now that the war appears to have come to an end, I stand by every word that I said. The Americans have already made some appointments and we need to stand side by side with the Americans in peace as we did in war.

"There is work that needs doing out there, and the construction industry should be trying to do it.

"I believe this time that businesses have got themselves into a good position to win these contracts, which are worth millions. The British way of working is to stay with the market and build contacts, and I hope that is the case in Iraq because it is a big market."

Mr Dale, whose business sold diesel generators to Iraq in the 1980s, said he thought Britain could make a longer-term investment in Iraq, which has a market of 22 million citizens, than America.

He said: "We shouldn't just send our construction companies in to build new buildings, we should make a continuing British commitment to Iraq that includes going there and working side by side with Iraqi businessmen.

"The Americans will not do that, they will take a short-term sharp look at rebuilding the country and the oil industry. Our role should be to have a longer-term relationship with Iraq so that we are genuine trade partners.

"We need to help Iraq become a viable and prosperous country once again."

Updated: 09:42 Tuesday, April 29, 2003