§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to the British Government of the trial of the three military personnel convicted of the manslaughter of a Danish tour guide in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [24559]
§ Mr. SoamesI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 3 April to the hon. Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson),Official Report, column 262.
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§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when a Minister from his Department will visit Cyprus to discuss with the Cyprus Government and senior military personnel the behaviour of British forces when off-duty on the island of Cyprus; [24563]
(2) what discussions he plans to have with (a) the Commander-in-Chief of British Forces, Cyprus, and (b) the Government of Cyprus in respect of the conviction of three British service personnel of the manslaughter of a Danish tour guide. [24561]
§ Mr. SoamesMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence plans to make a short visit to the sovereign base areas in Cyprus towards the end of May. While in Cyprus, he will discuss a number of issues, including the convictions resulting from the manslaughter of Miss Jensen and the conduct of off-duty British service men more generally.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he is having with the family of the Danish tour guide for whose manslaughter three British service personnel in Cyprus have been convicted as to compensation which may be paid to them; and if he will make a statement. [24553]
§ Mr. SoamesAs yet, no claim has been received. If one were to be submitted, it would be looked at sensitively and sympathetically.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what pay and allowances the three British service men convicted in Cyprus of the manslaughter of a Danish tour guide currently receive; and if he will make a statement. [24555]
§ Mr. SoamesWhile in custody, each soldier has received approximately £20 per week for incidental expenses such as telephone calls and toiletries.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has(a) to review the general rules of behaviour of British service personnel on the island of Cyprus and (b) to investigate complaints made by Greek Cypriots as to the behaviour of British military personnel based in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [24565]
§ Mr. SoamesBoth the educational and disciplinary arrangements relating to the behaviour of British service personnel in Cyprus are kept under constant review. Any complaints by Cypriots against such personnel are investigated fully either by the Cypriot police or service police, depending upon where jurisdiction lies.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department now plans to discharge the three service personnel convicted of the manslaughter of a Danish tour guide from the British army; and what benefits they will be entitled to on their discharge. [24562]
§ Mr. SoamesDischarge procedures have been initiated for all three soldiers. No immediate benefits are payable, but all three will be entitled to a preserved pension, based on length of service, which will be payable when they attain the age of 60 years.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is the policy of senior British military personnel to visit areas of Cyprus to monitor how British service personnel conduct themselves when off-duty; and if he will make a statement. [24552]
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§ Mr. SoamesSenior British military personnel do not visit areas in Cyprus to monitor how British service personnel conduct themselves when off-duty. They monitor the behaviour of personnel off-base through daily situation reports provided by the service police.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what personal contact has been made by(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) senior British military personnel in Cyprus with the family of the Danish tour guide for whose manslaughter three British service personnel in Cyprus have been convicted; and if he will make a statement. [24554]
§ Mr. SoamesThe then Commander of British Forces Cyprus wrote a letter of condolence to the parents of Louise Jensen on 29 September 1994.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military police personnel patrol areas of the Republic of Cyprus which British service personnel are known to frequent during off-duty hours; and if he will make a statement. [24558]
§ Mr. SoamesThe tourist areas of Limassol and Larnaca are patrolled regularly by members of the Royal Military police and the RAF police. Precise numbers vary according to the perceived requirement.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which areas of the Republic of Cyprus are out of bounds for British service personnel and their families. [24560]
§ Mr. SoamesThe area of Ayia Napa remains out of bounds to the vast majority of British service personnel and their dependants. The tourist areas of Limassol and Larnaca are subject to a 1 am curfew. Other areas and individual establishments are placed out of bounds for specific periods from time to time.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports are made by British military personnel on the behaviour of individual British service personnel serving on the island of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [24566]
§ Mr. SoamesDaily situation reports are produced locally in Cyprus by the service police and reviewed by the chain of command. Depending on the nature or gravity of the incident, details may be reported up through command advisers or specialist staffs to central staffs in MOD.