HC Deb 22 July 2002 vol 389 cc749-50W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to minimise the possibility of an accidental attack on civilians by British troops on active service; and what his policy is on reparations to families of civilians accidentally killed by troops of the United Kingdom. [67803]

to these where there is a need for specialised care not available in the Defence Medical Services or for geographical reasons.

The MOD only maintains central records on the number of Service patients awaiting a first outpatient appointment or admitted patient treatment (inpatients plus daycase patients) at MDHUs. MDHU waiting list information as at 31 March 2002, the last date for which information is available, is provided in the standard NHS reporting format in the following tables. This excludes outpatient information in respect of MDHU Portsmouth due to the validation of information at that time.

Dr. Moonie

[holding answer 19 July 2002]: All members of HM forces are carefully briefed on their rules of engagement (ROE) for an operation and on when they may be justified in using force. I am withholding details of the ROE in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Additionally, HM forces take all possible measures in the preparation and conduct of operations to minimise possible loss of civilian life and damage to property.

When compensation claims are submitted, they are considered on the basis of whether or not the Ministry of Defence has a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a legal liability to pay compensation we do so.