Mr. Alan Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what regulations he makes about the powers of arrest of the Army in peacetime; and whether he will make a statement on the use of these 86W powers in recent episodes in. Wales during a military exercise; (2) what warning was given to the general public, during the recent military exercise in Wales, that they could be stopped and questioned and expected to produce evidence of identity; (3) if he will take steps to give redress to civilians who are arrested by soldiers and forced, by physical threat, to accompany them for interrogation during military exercises; (4) how many complaints have been received in the last five years that the army has arrested and questioned members of the public without prior warning; (5) if he will take steps to ensure that the recent incidents in Wales, in which members of the public were stopped, questioned and arrested during a military exercise, are not repeated.
§ Mr. ReynoldsA military exercise in escape and evasion techniques began in the Brecon area of Wales on 4th May and is due to finish on 16th May. Chief Constables were told, in confidence, about the exercise, but no general warning was given to the public. Officers and men taking part were briefed on their conduct towards civilians and private property, and were told particularly that they had no powers of arrest over civilians. The only incident that has been confirmed is that of an officer, in civilian clothes, who was captured and, in an attempt to escape, claimed that he was a civilian and telephoned the local police.
Any complaints that are received will be fully investigated and where necessary appropriate action taken. I would naturally regret any inconvenience that may have been caused to civilian residents in the area.
I have been able to find only two cases in the past five years in which civilians have complained about being arrested and questioned without prior warning; in both cases they were thought to be deserters.