Oil scam's surcharge

Half the 4500 firms that took part in the United Nations oil-for-food programme in Iraq allegedly paid kickbacks or illegal surcharges.

Investigators said an October report would outline "the management and corruption" of the programme and its "shortfalls and the benefits".

Those who have been listed as involved in shady deals will be given time to respond, they said.

Saddam Hussain allegedly sought to curry favour with the programme by giving former Government officials, activists, journalists and others vouchers for Iraqi oil that could then be resold at a profit.

United States Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, who heads the probe, said "the definitive list" of more than 4500 private contractors involved in the programme will include for the first time the entities behind so-called front companies.