HC Deb 06 February 2004 vol 417 cc1103-6W
Mr. Kilfoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received from non-governmental organisations of their estimates of Iraqi(a) civilians and (b) military casualties (i) during and (ii) since the recent conflict. [140788]

Mr. Ingram

The Ministry of Defence has recently received reports from Human Rights Watch and Medact both of which contained their estimates of the numbers of military and civilian casualties.

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will allow(a) hon. Members and (b) others wishing to investigate human rights violations in Iraq full access to British military personnel stationed in southern Iraq. [141740]

Mr. Ingram

Requests made by an hon. Member or any other person to speak to a member of the British Armed Forces stationed in Southern Iraq or elsewhere are a matter for the individual concerned and his Commanding Officer. The individual must personally agree to the request. The Commanding Officer considers whether to allow access taking into account a range of factors including the reasons why access has been requested, operational security, the existence of any investigation or proceedings involving the individual concerned and the physical security situation at the time.

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether complaints have been received from Iraqi lawyers acting on behalf of the families of the alleged victims of actions by British forces in Iraq with regard to the(a) conclusions and conduct of investigations and (b) alleged incidents. [147678]

Mr. Ingram

We are not aware of any complaints from Iraqi lawyers acting on behalf of families of the alleged victims of actions by British Forces in Iraq about the conclusions, or conduct, of investigations or about alleged incidents.

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents of alleged or possible civilian fatalities involving British forces in Iraq since the end of the conflict have been recorded by the units involved. [147700]

Mr. Ingram

UK forces report all fatalities of which they are aware arising from incidents in which they were involved but it is not always possible to confirm whether fatalities have occurred during a particular incident. For example, in some incidents we believe Iraqi dead may have been taken away by their compatriots before UK forces could investigate. In other incidents UK forces have been forced to withdraw before any Iraqi fatalities could be confirmed.

As at 2 February, since the end of major combat operations 37 alleged fatalities had been reported by British units of which 18 have been the subject of investigations. All those not subject to investigation involved assailants attacking British forces and in defending themselves the soldiers involved were acting clearly within their Rules of Engagement.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Challenger 2 tanks went into action in Operation Telic without their operational nuclear, biological and chemical filters having been fitted; [152767]

(2) what individual protection the crews of Challenger 2 tanks had against nuclear, biological and chemical attacks other than NBC suits when in action during Operation Telic; [152769]

(3) what the effect is on the operating efficiency of Challenger 2 tanks when their crew members are wearing nuclear, biological and chemical suits; and for how long it is deemed practicable to continue to wear them in a tank in action. [152779]

Mr. Ingram

All Challenger 2 crew members are equipped with a full set of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Individual Protective Equipment (IPE), which includes boots, gloves, a respirator and NBC suit. Crews are also trained to operate their vehicles whilst wearing this equipment. In addition to the NBC IPE issued to each Challenger 2 crew member during Operation Telic, further individual protection was provided through the issue of a prophylactic drug (Nerve Agent Pre-treatment System (NAPS)). NAPS is to be taken orally, when ordered to do so, during preparations for operations. Further protection against the-effects of nerve agents was provided in the form of atropine injectors. Atropine is self-administered following exposure to nerve agent poisoning.

The length of time personnel could wear NBC IPE while in armoured vehicles and the effect on their operational efficiency would vary according to the circumstances.

As stated in the National Audit Office's report, none of the Challenger 2 tanks that went into action in Operation Telic was fitted with operational Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) filters. NBC filters were available in theatre but, owing to difficulties with asset tracking, were not issued to front line units in time to be fitted during the war-fighting phase of the operation. By the time NBC filters were issued to front line units, the NBC threat was deemed to have reduced significantly owing to the attrition of possible means of delivery.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the crews of Challenger 2 tanks which went into action in Operation Telic without their operational nuclear, biological and chemical filters fitted(a) wore individual NBC suits continuously and (b) had NBC suits with them for immediate use if attacked. [152768]

Mr. Ingram

All UK military personnel deployed in Iraq were issued with NBC Individual Protective Equipment (IPE) which they were required to carry with them at all times. Challenger 2 tank crews would have carried their NBC suits inside their vehicles during operations and would have worn them if the National Contingent Commander or local commanders deemed it necessary.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures were in place during Operation Telic to alert the crews of Challenger 2 tanks to nuclear, biological and chemical attack. [152770]

Mr. Ingram

UK forces have well established procedures for the dissemination of NBC information to all locations, units, sub-units, down to individual sections and vehicles. This applies equally to static locations and manoeuvre units, and relies on the transmission of appropriate warnings and alarms over the normal Combat Net Radio, backed up with visual and audible warnings and alarms.