Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to his oral answer of 19 May,Official Report, columns 147–48, what information he has about the use of air recognition systems by United States ground forces during the recent conflict in the Gulf;
(2) what consideration was given to using air recognition systems by British ground forces during Operation Granby.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonDuring the Gulf conflict, a secure and effective electronic identification system for ground forces did not exist. The coalition nevertheless took such practical steps as were possible to assist identification of friendly vehicles from both the ground and the air. These included fluorescent panels and inverted "V" markings. I understand that the United States was also developing infra-red beacons and lights to complement these markings, and that a number of these were sent to the Gulf towards the end of hostilities.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he plans to have with his United States counterpart about the recent verdict of the coroner's inquest in Oxford relating to the deaths of nine British service personnel.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMy right hon. and learned Friend discussed the matter briefly with Secretary Cheney in the margins of the Defence Planning Committee in Brussels last week. He has no plans to discuss the inquest verdict further.