Electronic Noise Machines (Hansard, 20 January 1972)

§ 21. Mr. Peter Archer
asked the Minister of State for Defence what categories of personnel are receiving training involving the use of electronic noise machines; and what qualifications, if any, they are required to possess.

§ Lord Balniel
No personnel are at present receiving training involving the use of electronic noise machines.

§ Mr. Archer
I welcome the Minister's answer but I think it is somewhat at variance with the answer given in the House on 25th November. Will he now give an undertaking to withdraw the use of these machines at least until the Parker Committee has reported?

§ Lord Balniel
There will be no further training courses until the Parker Committee reports.

§ Dr. David Owen
The Minister has not answered the question he was asked, which was whether these machines would be used before the Parker Committee 653 reported. Are these machines being used and, if they are, who is present when they are being used?

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The Question relates to training.

§ Dr. Owen
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. If you allowed the supplementary question of my hon. and learned Friend—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The fact that I made one mistake does not entitle me to make two.

§ Mr. Archer
On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Since, according to an answer given in the House on 25th November, the machines were being used only for training and for no other purpose, one is entitled by way of a supplementary question on the original Question to ask whether their use will be withdrawn altogether.

§ Mr. Speaker
I did not stop the hon. Member.

§ Dr. Owen
Will the Minister give an assurance that these machines are not being used at present in the situation in which they were previously used about which there has been contention? Will he assure us that people who are interned will not be subjected to these machines?

§ Lord Balniel
It would be wrong for me to disclose the methods of interrogation which are being used, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government will, of course, bear in mind the recommendations of the Compton Report.