HC Deb 09 February 1970 vol 795 cc272-3W
Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he proposes to place a time limit on the investigation by his Department of allegations of atrocities committed by Her Majesty's Forces during the wars fought by this country in the present century;

(2) how many investigations his Department has conducted into allegations of atrocity committed by Her Majesty's Forces during the wars fought since 1914; how many of these investigations occurred after the war concerned; and of these how many related to incidents which had occurred more than 10 years previously.

Mr. Healey

It would not be practicable to place a specific time limit on such investigations. Allegations of this sort must be considered on their merits. In the interests of justice this is particularly important if they amount to allegations of criminal acts for which persons may still be answerable at law.

Information about previous investigaations of this nature is not readily available.

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