§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent shooting incident that took place in Limassol, Cyprus that involved a British soldier in a local bar. [22883]
§ Mr. SoamesThe recent shooting of a service man in Limassol is currently under investigation by the Republic of Cyprus police and service police. I cannot, therefore, comment at this stage.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action is to be taken by his Department to seek to improve the general behaviour of British military personnel based in Cyprus when they are off duty with special reference to visiting resorts on the island of Cyprus. [22881]
§ Mr. SoamesMy Department attaches great importance to ensuring that the very good relations which exist between service personnel in Cyprus and the local population are maintained. All service personnel are briefed on the importance of this on arrival and the message is regularly reinforced.
If difficulties do arise firm measures are taken. Specific areas or individual premises are placed out of bounds from time to time. For example, the area of Ayia Napa remains out of bounds in the wake of the death of Louise Jensen in September 1994, and the tourist "strip" in Limassol and Larnaca are subject to a 1 am curfew for service personnel and dependants. The need to increase or reduce the out of bounds area is kept under constant review. Infringement of the rules is a punishable offence resulting in stiff penalties for the individual, ranging from fines, through loss of rank, to being sent home.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the number of British military personnel who have been charged with being drunk and disorderly in Cyprus in each of the last three years. [22882]
§ Mr. SoamesThis information is not held centrally and be provided only at disproportionate cost.