§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
In respect of the deaths of Private Benton in June 1995, Private James in November 1995, Private Gray in September 2001 and Private Collinson in March 2002, what was the precise date of death in each case; where was the body found; on what date was the investigation into death concluded; what was the rank and status of the person in charge of that investigation; whether there was a civil inquest; if so, on what date was that inquest held, and by whom; and what was the finding of that inquest. [HL4630]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)Private Benton died on 9 June 1995; his body was found at the perimeter10WA fence at the Princess Royal Barracks in Deepcut. The death was investigated by Surrey police, with assistance from the Special Investigation Branch Royal Military Police (SIB RMP).The exact date of conclusion is not clear. The coroner's inquest took place on 6 July 1995 and recorded -self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the chest".
Private James died on 27 November 1995; her body was found in a wooded area adjacent to the Royal Way rear gate at the Princess Royal Barracks in Deepcut. The death was investigated by Surrey police, with assistance from SIB RMP. The exact date of conclusion is not clear. A coroner's inquest took place on 21 December 1995 and recorded an open verdict.
Private Gray died on 17 September 2001; his body was found at the perimeter fence adjacent to the Officers' Mess. A coroner's inquest took place on 19 March 2002 and recorded an open verdict.
Private Collinson died on 23 March 2002; his body was found at the perimeter fence of the Officers' Mess. No coroner's inquest has yet taken place.
The deaths of Private Gray and Private Collinson are subject to ongoing investigations by a detective chief inspector of the Surrey police. An Army board of inquiry will be held into each incident in due course, although this cannot take place until the associated police investigations are complete.