§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make a statement on the shooting incident at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry, indicating if he is satisfied that all security procedures were complied with and showing what disciplinary action was taken subsequent to the incident.
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§ Mr. Robert C. BrownI have received the report of the Army board of inquiry which was set up to establish the facts of the incident in which, on the evening of 9th September last year, a member of a civilian duck shooting party was shot and injured by soldiers guarding Park Hall Camp, Oswestry. The conclusion of the board, which I fully accept, is that the incident arose from a genuine misunderstanding and that at the time the soldiers concerned fully thought themselves under armed attack. I have already written to the hon. Member outlining the findings of the board.
The police carried out their own investigations and the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that no criminal proceedings should be instituted. I am satisfied that all the security procedures in force were complied with, and in all the circumstances no disciplinary action has been taken against any of the military personnel involved in the incident. I have, however, accepted that in the light of this incident a number of measures are to be taken to reduce even further the risks of any recurrence of a similar misunderstanding. Claims for compensation have been received from solicitors acting for the three duck shooters, and these are being dealt with.