§ 96. Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Minister of State for Defence, why, in Northern Ireland, effect has not been given to Recommendation 3 of the Bowen Report that medical care of prisoners undergoing interrogation should be in the hands of civilian doctors.
§ Lord BalnielThe circumstances in Northern Ireland differed from those in Aden which gave rise to Mr. Roderic Bowen's report.
§ Mr. Ormeasked the Minister of State for Defence what complaints have been made to the Army concerning the fingerprinting and photographing of schoolboys aged 13 to 15 years at St. Thomas's Secondary School, Whiterock Road, Belfast, on Friday, 3rd December; and if he will hold an inquiry.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI have received no complaints concerning the fingerprinting and photographing of schoolboys on 3rd December. This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Government. I do not intend to set up an inquiry.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Minister of State for Defence by what authority schoolboys between the ages of 13 and 15 years attending St. Thomas's Secondary School, Belfast, were removed from their homes by the Army in the early hours of the morning of Friday, 3rd December, 1971; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe schoolboys were removed from their homes by 317W the Army and handed over to the Royal Ulster Constabulary for questioning on 3rd December under the powers conferred by the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (Northern Ireland), 1922. All the boys were subsequently released on the same day.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Minister of State for Defence what is his policy as regards making ex gratia payments to the relatives of deceased and injured Service men where death or injury is caused by the unlawful actions of civilians in Northern Ireland.
§ Lord BalnielThere are already comprehensive provisions.
Payments are made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to dependants of Service men whose deaths are attributable to military service. Claims for compensation may also be made under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland), 1968 where death or injury is caused by the unlawful actions of civilians in Northern Ireland and experience has shown that such compensation may be substantial.
Pensions or gratuities may be payable to widows and children by my Department under the Forces Family Pensions Scheme depending broadly on rank and length of service, irrespective of the cause of death.