HC Deb 11 March 2004 vol 418 cc1654-6W
Mrs. Liddell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make an assessment of the contribution of United Kingdom forces to the delivery of humanitarian aid in Iraq. [143725]

Mr. Ingram

Enabling the delivery of humanitarian aid has been a key priority for UK forces since the end of major combat operations on 1 May 2003.

In the period immediately after major combat operations ended UK forces cleared mines and other dangers in the waterway leading to Umm Qasr port and made safe the port area itself, opening the most important route into Iraq for humanitarian aid.

Since then UK forces have delivered limited amounts of aid themselves and, when requested, have provided assistance to Non-Governmental Organisations working on humanitarian programmes in Iraq.

Mr. Woodward

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the humanitarian projects that United Kingdom forces have(a) completed and (b) not yet completed in Iraq since 1 May 2003. [147156]

Mr. Ingram

United Kingdom forces have undertaken over 700 reconstruction projects in Iraq since the end of major combat operations. For a list of projects I refer my hon. Friend to my letter reference: D/MIN(AF)/5234N dated 10 March a copy of which is available in the Library of the House in response to question number 137519 from the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson).

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what force protection measures are in place to protect the operatives of non-governmental organisations and humanitarian organisations within the UK sphere of military operations in Iraq. [150226]

Mr. Ingram

The UK does not routinely provide force protection to humanitarian or non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Such organisations are directly responsible for assessing the risks to their staff. UK local commanders do discuss security and other practical issues with them on a regular basis.

The coalition as a whole is working to secure conditions in which UN agencies, NGOs, humanitarian organisations and the Iraqi people are able to go about their business.

Tom Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been paid to Iraqi families following the death of a member of their family while being held in British military custody. [158032]

Mr. Ingram

UK Authorities have paid £1,875 to an Iraqi family following a death in custody.

Sir Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the status of UK forces in Iraq will be after 31 July; what legal mandate will govern their presence and operations; and if he will make a statement. [158147]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 9 March 2004]: The status of UK forces in Iraq and the legal mandate that will govern their presence and operations after the handover of authority to an Iraqi government remain under consideration.

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether techniques of sensory deprivation have been used on Iraqi detainees by members of the British armed forces. [158860]

Mr. Ingram

Members of the armed forces may only use blindfolds on apprehended individuals for reasons of operational security, such as movement through military sensitive areas. No other forms of sensory deprivation are permitted.