HC Deb 14 May 1996 vol 277 cc405-6W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the release of video footage of Army training by the Northern Ireland training advisory team. [29343]

Mr. Soames

Video tapes used to debrief soldiers during pre-Northern Ireland training were passed by the BBC to the Ministry of Defence on 8 May; they had apparently been bought by a third party in Coventry. Urgent steps are being taken to prevent any recurrence of this incidence, and a full assessment of any implications for current military operations in Northern Ireland is being made.

As a police investigation is now in hand it would be inappropriate to comment further.

The continued safety of our troops in Northern Ireland is of paramount importance.