§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recommendations were made by the Special Investigations Branch, Royal Military Police concerning the Royal Irish Regiment group photograph published in The Andersontown News on 15 January; how many have been implemented; and if he will place in the Library the non-personnel conclusions and police recommendations of the SIB report. [143753]
§ Mr. SpellarI have been asked to reply.
The Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police investigated the circumstances surrounding of the publication of the photograph published in the Andersontown News on 15 January. There were no recommendations. It is not Departmental policy to disclose Service police reports to persons or bodies outside the Department as a matter of course. These reports are prepared for internal administrative purposes and are considered confidential to the Department. The main points to arise from the investigation were addressed in my letter to you of 28 September, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the result was of administrative action taken against the Company Commander found responsible for arranging the Royal Irish Regiment group photograph, published in the Andersonstown News on 15 January; what consideration was given to taking action against those who posed for the photograph; what contacts the RIR unit has had subsequently with the Loyal Orange Lodge; on what date further guidance about posing with sectarian emblems was issued to units deployed around the Drumcree area; what guidance is available to units of the RIR deployed elsewhere in Northern Ireland; and if he will place a copy of the further guidance in the Library. [143752]
§ Mr. SpellarI have been asked to reply.
The Administrative action against the Company Commander, who took the photograph that appeared in the Andersonstown News on 15 January, is still progressing through the Army chain of command. No action was considered against those who posed for the photograph. Units of the Royal Irish Regiment do not have any official contact with the Orange Order, however, individual members may do so on a personal basis. Further guidance about posing with sectarian emblems was issued to units with the three Infantry Brigade on 3 April 2000, which was in addition to the guidance sent to all units throughout the Province on the 10 March 2000. Relevant extracts of the guidance will be placed in the Library of the House.