HC Deb 17 November 2003 vol 413 cc498-500W
Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) bridges, (b) sewerage pumping stations and (c) power stations have been reconstructed and repaired by United Kingdom forces operating in Iraq. [134597]

Mr. Ingram

Responsibility for the repair of civil infrastructure lies with the Coalition Provisional Administration. Where possible, and within resource constraints, United Kingdom Forces will assist the Iraqi authorities in the reconstruction and repair of Iraqi infrastructure when requested to do so.

UK Forces have supported Iraqi engineers in the repair of sewerage pumping stations and power stations but we do not hold central records of the numbers involved. We have no record of UK Forces having repaired or reconstructed bridges in Iraq.

Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) distance of (i) road and (ii) electricity transmission system has been repaired and (b) length of railway has been returned to service by United Kingdom forces operating in Iraq. [134598]

Mr. Ingram

Responsibility for the repair of civil infrastructure lies with the Coalition Provisional Administration (CPA). Where possible, and within resource constraints, United Kingdom forces will assist the provisional Iraqi authorities in the reconstruction and repair of Iraqi infrastructure when requested to do so.

We have no record of any repairs to the road network. UK forces have repaired approximately 50 kilometres of electricity transmission system. In addition, UK forces have carried out repairs to the rail network in the Um Qasr region of Iraq and supported Iraqi rail maintenance crews on a number of other occasions.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all troops in the Gulf are fully equipped with desert clothing; and if he will make a statement. [122977]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 3 July 2003]The Ministry of Defence has previously acknowledged the difficulties faced during Operation Telic in determining the in-theatre rate of consumption of, and tracking of, desert clothing. However, I can confirm that sufficient personal equipment, including desert clothing, has been despatched to theatre to equip all deployed UK Servicemen and women.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what compensation will be paid to the estates of Iraqi civilians who died as a result of British military action in Iraq. [125109]

Mr. Ingram

There are no plans to pay compensation to Iraqi civilians killed during combat operations in Iraq.

The handling of claims made by Iraqis for losses which do not arise in connection with combat operations are governed by section 6 of the Coalition Provisional Authority Order Number 17. This provides that any such claims shall be submitted to and dealt with by the parent state of the person whose activities are alleged to have caused the loss. The claims will then be dealt with in a manner consistent with the national laws of that parent state.

Where a claim against British troops arises from activity which would not give rise to a legal liability to pay compensation under English law, there may nevertheless be an ex gratia payment made to the injured person or to the family of the deceased where this would be in accordance with local custom or directed to meet a particular urgent humanitarian need.

Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the mechanisms in place for the sharing of information between the British and other coalition forces involved in operations in Iraq. [133309]

Mr. Ingram

The Ministry of Defence works closely with our partner nations to ensure effective sharing of information and intelligence including through the use of embedded officers within national command structures. Within the Multinational Division (South East), which is led by the United Kingdom, there is a combined Command and Control structure that includes all partner nations.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures are followed by UK personnel in Iraq before live ammunition is fired at civilians; and whether protocols have been agreed with US forces on procedures to be followed. [133417]

Mr. Ingram

Use of lethal force by United Kingdom armed forces personnel in Iraq is governed by the extant Rules of Engagement for Operation Telic. It is not our practice to comment on Rules of Engagement and I am withholding information regarding their contents under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

We cannot comment on the Rules of Engagement used by other nations.