§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list outstanding inquiries relating to operations in(a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [131994]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 16 October 2003]There are no outstanding boards of inquiry or Special Investigation Branch investigations relating to operations in Afghanistan.
As at 31 October there were 35 boards of inquiry outstanding from operations in Iraq. Boards of inquiry often require a year or more to complete to ensure that the incident in question can be properly considered and the correct conclusions drawn. There are 44 outstanding Special Investigation Branch investigations relating to operations in Iraq, some of which are being conducted in support of the 35 boards of inquiry.
Further details of the inquiries and investigations are being withheld under exemptions 1 and 12 of the Code of Practice on access to government information.