HC Deb 30 November 1971 vol 827 cc76-7W
Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will appoint a panel of independent medical authorities to advise the Committee of Privy Councillors on the methods of interrogation taught to Armed Forces for use against internees in Northern Ireland.

Lord Balniel

It will be for the committee to decide from whom it wishes to take evidence.

Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Minister of State for Defence to what extent Armed Forces outside the Military Police are taught the techniques of interrogation described in the Compton Report.

Lord Balniel

Instruction in the procedures for handling and questioning detainees is given to selected members of all three Services.

Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many members of the Armed Forces were trained in the techniques of interrogation described in the Compton Report during 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971, respectively.

Lord Balniel

During 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971 the numbers of members of the Armed Forces trained in methods of interrogation were 20, 12, 13, and 24, respectively.

Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Minister of State for Defence in what defence establishment members of the Forces are trained in the techniques for the forced extraction of information described in the Compton Report.

Lord Balniel

I am not prepared to say where training in methods of interrogation is undertaken.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

asked the Minister of State for Defence on how many occasions during each of the last 10 years the methods of interrogation in depth disclosed in the Compton Report have been used by officers for whom he has responsibility.

Lord Balniel

The procedures used in support of interrogation which are described in the Compton Report have been used in the course of five separate campaigns or emergencies in the last 10 years by British Service personnel for whom successive Ministers and Secretaries of State for Defence have had responsibility.

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