§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Geneva Conventions will be applied to prisoners captured by UK forces in Afghanistan; and whether such prisoners will be handed directly to US forces. [45409]
§ Mr. HoonThe Geneva Conventions will be applied to prisoners captured by United Kingdom troops in Afghanistan. Any such prisoners would be handed to the Afghan Interim Authority.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which(a) machine guns, (b) light machine guns and (c) assault rifles are in service with the Royal Marines deployed in Afghanistan. [52899]
§ Mr. Hoon45 Commando Group Royal Marines is equipped with General Purpose Machine Guns and 50 Calibre machine guns. The Light Support Weapon and the Minimi provide their light machine gun capability.
482WThe SA80 A2 assault rifle is the standard individual weapon for the Royal Marines, although the Brigade Reconnaissance Force is equipped with M16 owing to its specialist role.