§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what duties Private Gray was deployed in on(a) 16 September 2001 and (b) 17 September 2001; who his immediate superior officer was on that night; and if he will make a statement; [51157]
(2) what happened to the weapon and ammunition of Private Gray following his death on 17 September 2001 at Deep Cut Camp; and if he will make a statement; [51165]
(3) when Private Gray commenced duty at Deep Cut Army Camp on 16 September 2001; what his schedule of duty was (a) that and (b) the next day; and if he will make a statement; [51153]
(4) what time was Private Gray's body removed from the site of Deep Cut Camp on 17 September 2001; by whom it was removed; to where it was removed; and if he will make a statement; [51161]
(5) what record there is of a civilian staying the night at the officers' mess of Deep Cut Camp over the night of 16 and 17 of September 2001; if he will identify this person; who authorised his entry into the camp and his overnight stay in the officers' mess; and if he will make a statement; [51169]
(6) what ammunition was found to be missing from Private Gray following his death on 17 September 2001; and if he will make a statement; [51151]
(7) what record there is of Private Gray's routine on the evening of the 16 September 2001; when the last time was he logged out on guard duty; when the last time was he logged back in from guard duty having completed a patrol; and if he will make a statement; [51159]
261W(8) what time the body of Private Gray was discovered in Deep Cut Camp; where it was discovered; by whom; and if he will make a statement; [51163]
(9) how many rounds of ammunition Private Gray was issued with before going on duty; how many rounds were found in his weapon or on his person following his death on 17 September 2001; and if he will make a statement; [51150]
(10) if he will make a statement on the incident late on the evening of 16 September 2001 close to the officers mess at Deep Cut Camp involving Private Geoff Gray; and what other personnel were involved; [51158]
(11) what the location was of the incident that led to the death of Private Geoff Gray in September 2001 within the Deep Cut Army Camp; where the death took place; and if he will make a statement; [51154]
(12) what the calibre was of the bullets that killed Private Geoff Gray; what search was made to recover the bullets; who conducted the search; if the bullets were recovered; and if he will make a statement; [51170]
(13) what procedures were followed at the start and finish of a round of guard duty at Deep Cut Army Camp on the evening of 16 and the morning of 17 and 18 September 2001; and if he will make a statement; [51152]
(14) what logs were kept of the round of guard duty of Private Gray on the evening of the 16 and the morning of the 17 September 2001 at Deep Cut Camp: who was responsible for the accuracy of the logs; and if he will make a statement; [51160]
(15) how many (a) entry and (b) exit wounds were found on Private Gray's body; where they were; and if he will make a statement; [51156]
(16) at what time shots were first heard on the night of 16 and 17 of September 2001; by whom and where; if reports of these shots were logged; and if he will make a statement. [51164]
§ Dr. MoonieThese questions collectively concern the circumstances surrounding the death of Private Geoff Gray at the Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, on 17 September 2001. Some of the information requested has already been placed in the public domain in the form of witness evidence given at the coroner's inquest into the death of Private Gray, which was held on 19 March 2002. However, jurisdiction for the investigation into this incident was retained by the Surrey Police who will be briefing the family of Private Gray shortly on the circumstances surrounding his death. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage. The evidence will also be considered by an internal Army Board of Inquiry, which will convene on 25 April 2002. The inquiry is likely to take some time. The next of kin will, as a matter of courtesy, be afforded a copy of the final report in due course.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there was an MOD inquiry into the death of Private Geoff Gray in September 2001 at Deep Cut Army Camp; and if he will make a statement. [51155]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Army Board of Inquiry into the death of Private Geoff Gray will convene on 25 April 2002. The purpose of a Board of Inquiry is to establish the facts and ascertain whether any shortcomings in service262W equipment or procedures caused or contributed to the incident leading to a death and, if necessary, make recommendations to prevent a recurrence. Although this is normally an internal investigation and not open to members of the public or the media, the next of kin are afforded a copy of the completed Board of Inquiry report as a matter of courtesy (subject to any minimum security/disclosure requirements). The inquiry is likely to take some time and I cannot, at this stage, say when the board will make its final report.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) the cause of death, (b) the circumstances and (c) the coroner's verdict on the death of Private Geoff Gray in September 2001 at the Deep Cut Army Camp; and if he will make a statement. [51149]
§ Dr. MooniePrivate Geoff Gray, Royal Logistic Corps, died from gunshot wounds to the head while on guard duty at the Princess Royal Barracks, Deep Cut, on 17 September 2001. The coroner's inquest was held on 19 March 2002 and recorded an open verdict. Jurisdiction for the investigation into this incident remains with the Surrey police who will be briefing the family of Private Gray shortly on the circumstances surrounding his death. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage.