§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the number of(a) private military companies and (b) British private military companies working in Iraq. [166133]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI have been asked to reply.
We are not aware of any private military companies (UK or otherwise) operating in Iraq in military operations. A number of British (and other) private security companies are providing security advice and assistance to the reconstruction effort. The number of security personnel working in Iraq fluctuates, but we are aware of up to 1,000 British nationals working in this sector.
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any member of the UK armed forces has been charged in relation to the deaths of civilians in Iraq caused by Coalition action. [170226]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 4 May 2004]:) As at 30 April 2004, no member of the United Kingdom armed forces had been charged in relation to the deaths of civilians in Iraq.