§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outcome was of the investigation led by208W Colonel Zemary Fazil into the death of a man and injury of his pregnant wife in Kabul on the weekend of 16 and 17 February; what statements were issued contemporaneously by the Army press office and other agencies given responsibility for press relations; what subsequent clarifications have been issued; what explanation for the incident has been given to partners in the International Security Assistance Force; how many rounds were fired by each of the members of the Parachute Regiment involved in the incident; what ranks these soldiers were; how many spent rounds were recovered in the vicinity; in whose custody scene of crime evidence has been retained; how many soldiers have been withdrawn from the area of operation; if disciplinary charges are pending; what attempts have been made by senior officers to contact the family of the deceased; and what representations have been received from the Afghan authorities. [41096]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 18 March 2002]: Early on the morning of 16 February, an Observation Post manned by members of 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, reported coming under fire from as-yet-unidentified gunmen. The soldiers returned fire. At first light, a joint patrol with the Afghan Interim Authority Police was despatched to the area for follow-up action. In the vicinity of the incident, they discovered a car that had suffered damage from gunfire. On further investigation, they found in a nearby house one dead and four injured people and a new-born baby. The injured were taken to hospital. Their injuries were not life threatening.
The Afghan Interim Authority Police are investigating this incident, with support from members of the Royal Military Police (RMP). The Afghan police have retained any evidence that they wish to and the RMP have retained other items, including the car that had been fired upon. Before the investigation is complete it would not be appropriate to comment further on details of the incident.
The press were briefed at the time in Kabul and have been updated as necessary by the Ministry of Defence press office. Other troop-contributing nations of ISAF were informed of the incident along the same lines as the press.
In accordance with standard procedure, the two soldiers involved in the incident were withdrawn from the area of operations. Until the RMP investigation is completed, the question of disciplinary proceedings does not arise.
ISAF have held informal meetings with the family of the deceased man who understand that the investigation is continuing.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from his US counterpart regarding an increase in the numbers of international peacekeepers in Kabul and Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [41889]