§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 12 June 2000,Official Report, column 449W, (a) in what circumstances this photograph was taken, what interpretation he puts on this photo-shoot and what assessment has he made of the impact of this upon community relations in the area, (b) what formal administrative action procedures have been initiated and what stage they are at now, (c) what body or rank of officer was responsible for considering whether to initiate disciplinary action against (i) the major and (ii) the warrant officer who took photographs, (d) what instructions have been issued subsequent to this inquiry concerning soldiers agreeing to pose for photographs with sectarian displays, (e) if the soldiers were under orders to pose for these photographs, (f) how many refused, (g) what attempts have been made to seek the return and destruction of these photographs, (h) if the flag was obtained with the consent of the Loyal Orange Lodge, (i) how the flag was transported to the Royal Irish Regiment barracks, (j) what the cost of printing 40 copies of the photograph was, (k) who paid this bill, (1) who owned the camera with which the photograph was taken, (m) how many companies of the Royal Irish Regiment have posed for regimental photographs with sectarian flags or banners in the current year and (n) if he will place a copy of the Special Investigations report in the Library. [130467]
§ Mr. SpellarI will write to my hon. Friend, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.