HC Deb 03 April 1996 vol 275 cc262-3W
Mr. Hanson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many violent incidents were recorded by the British Army in Cyprus which occurred off base and involved the civilian population in each of the last five years. [24076]

Mr. Soames

Until recently, this information has not been held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. For the period 1 January 1995 to 1 January 1996, there were 16 cases of grievous bodily harm involving members of the British Army in Cyprus. Of these, seven were between soldiers, seven were attacks on soldiers by civilians, and two were attacks on civilians by soldiers.

Mr. Hanson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the legal costs so far for the defence of riflemen of the Royal Green Jackets for all the charges relating to the attack and killing of Louise Jensen on Cyprus in 1994 for(a) the pre-trial stage of the proceedings taken against them by the authorities in Cyprus and (b) the trial. [24132]

Mr. Soames

The bills presented for legal aid have not differentiated between pre-trial and trial costs. Bills presented to 31 December 1995 have amounted to £170,000. We estimate that additional bills to date yet to be presented will add a further £30,000 approximately.