HC Deb 19 May 2003 vol 405 cc578-9W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to establish a mechanism that can provide for investigation of allegations of the unlawful use of lethal force by members of HM armed forces in Iraq. [111844]

Mr. Ingrain

We are not aware of any allegations of unlawful use of lethal force by United Kingdom personnel in Iraq. However, were such an allegation to be made, and it could be substantiated, the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police, a detachment of which is currently deployed in the Gulf, would be responsible for carrying out an investigation into the circumstances.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions and orders have been issued to members of HM armed forces in Iraq concerning co-operation with investigations into allegations concerning the unlawful use of lethal force by members of(a) UK, (b) US and (c) other forces performing policing and public order duties in Iraq. [111845]

Mr. Hoon

Co-operation with investigations into allegations of unlawful use of lethal force, whether by members of the United Kingdom, the United States or other forces performing policing and public order duties in Iraq, is a matter for individuals, unless they are compelled to co-operate by a court order. Accordingly, no such orders or instructions have been issued.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what orders and instructions he has given concerning participation of Scots Guardsmen(a) Mark Wright and (b) James Fisher on foot patrols and other interface with the civilian population of Basra. [112547]

Mr. Ingram

None.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence(1)how many(a) Paveway II, (b) Paveway III and (c) 1,000 Ib bombs were dropped in Iraq; and what the cost was for each group; [113246]

(2)what the total replacement value is of the ordnance dropped by British forces in Iraq. [113247]

Mr. Ingram

I will write to the hon. Member on completion of expenditure on operations and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Dhanda

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the use of cluster bombs in the war with Iraq on the long-term development of the country. [113739]

Mr. Ingram

The Government recognise that, following conflict, all unexploded ordnance is a matter of humanitarian concern. That is why we are committed to the clearance of unexploded ordnance as part of the post-conflict reconstruction of Iraq.