§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK civilian fire officers have been operating in Iraq in each month since May; and what plans there are for future deployment. [141146]
§ Mr. IngramMinistry of Defence Civilian Fire Service personnel in Iraq have comprised one post at Divisional Officer level, supported by 18 civilian fire fighters of various grades from May to July rising to the current level of 21 civilian fire fighters from August.
269WThe level of support is kept under review in the light of operational circumstances.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken by UK authorities to determine the status of internees held by British forces in Iraq; how long the process of determination will take; what the nationality of the internees is; what assessment has been made of the nature of the threat that they present to Coalition forces; what laws they have broken; whether they enjoy all rights under the Geneva conventions; and if he will make a statement. [140658]
§ Mr. IngramArticle 78 of the IV Geneva Convention (1949) allows the UK as the Occupying Power to intern people where it considers it necessary for reasons of security. Internees will continue to be held until such time as they are no longer considered a threat to Coalition Forces. A review is conducted at the 10, 28 and 90 day points (and every 90 days thereafter) to determine whether continued internment is necessary. Internees enjoy all their rights under the Geneva Conventions.
As at 1 December, all internees held by the UK Forces in Iraq are of either Iraqi or Sudanese nationality.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military intelligence was the basis for the military action in Basra on 5 April which resulted in the killing of 10 members of the Hamoodi family and the destruction of the family home; whether the family were the intended target for this military action; and if he will make a statement. [141098]
§ Mr. IngramI am withholding the information under Exemption I of Part II of the Code of Conduct on Access to Government Information.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the investigations into Iraqi weapons of mass destruction carried out by coalition forces will report to the Government; and whether the reports will be made public. [141658]
§ Mr. HoonDr. David Kay published his statement on the Interim Progress Report on the Activities of the Iraq Survey Group on 2 October 2003. It can be found at www.cia.gov and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. The classified interim report of the Iraq Survey Group has been received by the Government.
The Iraq Survey Group will take as long as is necessary to complete its investigations into Iraqi weapons of mass destruction programmes and produce a final report. The Government have already made it clear that the findings of the Iraq Survey Group should be publicly available.
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the rules of engagement issued to UK military personnel with reference to their law enforcement duties in Southern Iraq. [141681]
§ Mr. IngramI refer to the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 November 2003,Official Report, column 500W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell).
§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for military personnel in Iraq to celebrate Christmas. [141948]
270W
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 4 December 2003]Personnel serving in Iraq over Christmas will have the support they need to celebrate Christmas with traditional festive food and activities. The comprehensive operational welfare package has been enhanced by the grant of an additional free phone card providing 20 minutes of phone calls.
§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department has made to transport Christmas gifts donated by dependants, charities and individuals to military personnel serving in Iraq. [141949]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 4 December 2003]The Ministry of Defence has made arrangements for the transport of traditional festive fare to British Forces personnel serving in Iraq.
Family members of UK forces personnel serving in Iraq are entitled to send an unlimited number of parcels up to 2 kg in weight free of charge through the British Forces Post Office (BFPO).
Gifts donated by charities will be transported to theatre if spare capacity is available on planned flights subject to practical considerations concerning the nature of the consignments.
§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK supermarkets are being offered Ministry of Defence transport for their Christmas gifts for military personnel serving in Iraq. [141950]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 4 December 2003]Christmas gifts donated by commercial organisations, including supermarkets, will be delivered to UK forces in Iraq if spare capacity is available on planned flights and subject to practical considerations concerning the nature of the consignments.
So far, gifts from two donors have been transported in this way. In addition, some other donors have arranged for the commercial transport of their gifts to the Gulf.