§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the normal procedure of inquiry when someone is killed or injured as a result of opening of fire by a member of the armed forces.
§ Mr. FreemanCases of death or serious injury in the United Kingdom as a result of a service man opening fire would normally be investigated by the civil police and, in the case of death, by a coroner's inquest. The services would, of course, co-operate with the civil authorities in these investigations. The procedure for the investigations of incidents overseas will depend upon the jurisdictional arrangements that apply in the country concerned.
The form of any separate service inquiry would depend on the cirumstances of the particular incident. Where one was required the service police would carry out an initial investigation which would, if necessary, be followed by a service board of inquiry.