Mr. Alan Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many military personnel and how many military vehicles and aircraft were involved in the escape and evasion exercise staged in Wales commencing 4th May, 1966;
(2) how many shots were fired with live ammunition by military personnel or civilians during the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May, 1966;
(3) how many instances have been reported of offences against National Coal 260W Board property during the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May;
(4) how many incidents against civilian personnel or property, arising out of the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May, have been reported to him since 11th May; and on what date those incidents took place;
(5) what was the cost of the escape and evasion exercise staged in Wales from 4th May, 1966;
(6) what foreign military personnel were used in the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May, 1966; and what was their nationality;
(7) if foreign troops were allowed to stop and question civilians during the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May;
(8) what orders were given before the exercise to military personnel taking part in the escape and evasion exercise, which commenced in Wales on 4th May, about their conduct towards and powers over civilians; and how these orders were varied after complaints were received;
(9) at what level in the command structure approval was given for the staging of the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May;
(10) by what authority military personnel stop, interrogate and search civilians during a peacetime military exercise;
(11) what reports he has received of military personnel refusing to allow civilians to approach the police with complaints during the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May;
(12) what reports he has had of civilians being confined to their own houses during the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May;
(13) if he will give details of incidents against civilians reported to him as a result of the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May;
(14) if he has yet initiated investigations into the conduct of military personnel during an escape and evasion exercise in Wales which commenced on 4th May;
261W(15) if medical assistance had to be given to any civilians during the escape and evasion exercise which commenced in Wales on 4th May.
§ Mr. Colemanasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware of the incident at Lletyrafel Farm in the Vale of Neath on Monday, 9th May, when members of an Army detachment used physical violence against occupants of the farm; and what action he will take.
§ Mr. EnnalsAbout 450 Service men, including some 350 Territorials and some 25 American parachutists, took part in this exercise, for which Ministerial approval had been given. Thirty-four road vehicles, 4 helicopters and 1 transport aircraft were used. No live ammunition was fired by any Service man; one report has been received of a shot gun being fired by a farmer. The cost directly attributable to the exercise was small.
As my hon. Friend said in his Answer on 11th May, all those taking part in the Exercise were briefed on their conduct towards civilians and private property. In particular they were told that they had no powers of arrest over civilians, that civilians were not to be molested and that cars on main roads were not to be stopped. No changes were made in these instructions during the Exercise. Military personnel are not empowered to stop, interrogate and search civilians during a peacetime military exercise. There is, of course, no reason why they should not ask questions of civilians.
A full report, which will include a detailed investigation of all incidents, is being prepared on the Exercise. I have heard so far of three incidents. My hon. Friend explained the circumstances of one of these in his Answer of 11th May. The other two, reported since, concern alleged incidents on 8th and 9th May at farms, and these are being investigated. No offences against National Coal Board property have been reported, though one mine canteen was used at the invitation of the mine management as a briefing room. Until I have received the report on the Exercise, I would prefer to make no further statement beyond expressing my regret that the Exercise should have given rise to some disquiet.