Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what actions have been taken to prevent friendly fire incidents as a result of investigations into the incident on 26 February 1991.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAs I outlined in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Mr. Oppenheim) on 24 July,Official Report, column 706, the board of inquiry into the incident in the Gulf on 26 February recommended that a study should be initiated to identify a suitable air recognition system for future use. The board also recommended that target co-ordinates should be specifically included in mission briefs and acknowledged by pilots. Studies in pursuit of these recommendations are under way.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further action has been taken to investigate the death 87W of nine British soldiers on 26 February 1991 in the Gulf as a result of friendly fire, since the publication of the board of inquiry's report.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Amos) on 15 November,Official Report, column 704.