HC Deb 19 July 1984 vol 64 cc335-6W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when General Sir Timothy Creasey retired from the British Army;

(2) if General Sir Timothy Creasey has re-enlisted in the armed services in the last five years;

(3) when General Sir Timothy Creasey's secondment to the Oman Government is due to end.

Mr. Stanley

General Sir Timothy Creasey retired from the British Army on 6 April 1981. On 28 July 1981 he was recalled to active duty with effect from 6 April 1981, and is on loan to the Government of Oman until December 1984 when he retires from the British Array.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether General Sir Timothy Creasey has received his United Kingdom service gratuity;

(2) whether General Sir Timothy Creasey has repaid any gratuity he has received on his reemployment in the Army.

Mr. Stanley

I shall answer shortly.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what investigation his Department has carried out into the behaviour or actions of General Creasey in respect of the treatment of Mr. Robin Walsh; and if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the inquiry;

(2) why an official reprimand has been issued to General Sir Timothy Creasey in relation to his conduct in Oman; and what were its terms;

(3) what role was played by Sir Edwin Bramhall, Chief of Defence Staff, in the formal inquiry into the actions of General Sir Creasey in relation to the treatment of Mr. Robin Walsh in Oman; and when this inquiry was held.

Mr. Heseltine

In view of inquiries addressed to the Ministry of Defence on the inolvement of General Creasey in the case of Mr. Robin Walsh, I asked the Chief of the Defence Staff to advise me on the matter. The CDS took the opportunity of a visit by General Creasey to London to discuss the case with him. As a result of these inquiries I have concluded that the case was a matter for the Government of Oman. There is no question of an official reprimand being issued or contemplated.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information was given to his Department during its inquiry into the behaviour and actions of General Sir Timothy Creasey in Oman regarding the extent to which he was consulted by the Oman Government as to the penalty that would be appropriate in the case of Mr. Robin Walsh.

Mr. Heseltine

I understand that General Creasey was consulted by the Omani authorities about the case of Mr. Walsh. The hon. Member may be aware that the embassy of Oman has issued a statement that allegations that Mr. Walsh was imprisoned on the orders of General Creasey are completely without foundation, and that Mr. Walsh, who had admitted the theft of Government funds, was arrested by the appropriate Omani authorities.