§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence why he gave orders that a member of the Armed Forces should give testimony on oath to an inquiry while dressed in a beret, wearing dark glasses and having his collar obscuring a portion of his face.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI have given no orders but certain Army witnesses at the recent inquest held in Londonderry into the death of George Beattie were advised to disguise themselves in the manner described by the hon. Member.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence whether a person identified as Mr. A, who is a member of the Armed Forces in the North of Ireland, gave testimony to an inquiry held in Londonderry on 21st July, 1971; whether this person had made statements on the subject matter of the inquest to the Royal 177W Ulster Constabulary; and on what date, at what time and in the company of what other persons.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI assume that the hon. Member is referring to Northern Ireland. A member of the Armed Forces referred to as Mr. A. gave evidence on 21st July, 1971, at a coroner's inquest at Londonderry which was held to determine the cause of death of George Beattie. As regards the investigations by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Army is cooperating with the civil authorities in making evidence available but I am not responsible for the procedures followed by the latter in carrying out their inquiries, or the manner and nature of evidence taken from individuals.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence what legal advice is available to members of the armed forces who have been involved in fatal incidents in the North of Ireland prior to communicating details of their activities to the civil authorities; what legal advice was made available to the soldiers described as Mr. A. and Mr. B. testifying at an inquest in Londonderry on 21st and 22nd of this month; what other advice was available to them; whether prior information on their testimony was received by his Department; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI assume that the hon. Member is referring to Northern Ireland. Like any private individual, a member of the Armed Forces may obtain legal advice in any way which he considers appropriate. He is at liberty to seek the advice of the military authorities if he so wishes. This is a matter for the judgment of the individuals concerned and it is not for me to comment on the arrangements they choose to make. In the case referred to, my Department was aware of the contents of the preliminary statements made by the soldiers concerned.