§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accidental killings of civilians in Iraq have been reported by British forces since the end of combat operations, in addition to the 17 cases now under investigation; and if he will make a statement. [146850]
Mr. Ingrain[holding answer 14 January 2004]None. As well as the cases under investigation UK forces have reported 19 Iraqi civilian fatalities. All involved assailants attacking British forces and in defending themselves the soldiers involved were acting clearly within their Rules of Engagement.
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the six Iraqis who have died in British custody in Iraq giving the(a) approximate time, (b) date and (c) place of their deaths; and which regiments were responsible for their detention at the time of their deaths. [147713]
§ Mr. IngramI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) on 19 January 2004,Official Report, column 918W.
We do not release details of units who are involved in any incident that has been the subject of an SIB investigation, unless the case is referred for court martial.
All deaths occurred within the United Kingdom area of operations in Iraq.