§ Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to lay before Parliament the fourth annual report of the independent assessor of military complaints procedures in Northern Ireland. [20480]
§ Sir Patrick MayhewI have today arranged for the fourth annual report of the independent assessor of military complaints procedures in Northern Ireland to be laid before each House of Parliament. I note that the assessor has commented that the complaints procedures and their operation are being given proper attention by the Army and that he is not aware of any public misgivings in this area during 1996. The report provides welcome reassurance to the Government and to the public that the Army's complaints procedures withstand scrutiny. The number of formal non-criminal complaints registered in 1996 remains low despite the increase in Army patrolling made necessary as a result of the renewed terrorist campaign.