§ Mr. Keetch:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inquiries are being conducted in the United Kingdom armed forces into the Friendly Fire incidents of the recent Gulf conflict; whether US personnel (a) participated in and (b) have been denied permission to participate in the inquiries; and if he will make a statement. [130529]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 17 September 2003]: The United Kingdom armed forces thoroughly investigate all suspected incidents of Friendly Fire. Depending on the type of incident, investigations may be undertaken by a variety of agencies. This could include Royal Military Police, the Land Accident Prevention Investigation Team, Boards of Inquiry or Unit Inquiry Teams.
United States personnel have had observer status for UK investigations where relevant. The UK and the US have also jointly interviewed witnesses where possible and necessary. Further, a UK representative sits on the US-led Board of Inquiry into the incident suspected of involving an RAF Tornado and a Patriot Missile. For the incident suspected of involving a UK Scimitar and a US A-10, a joint UK/US, US-led inquiry has been held and UK representatives sat on the inquiry board. We are not aware of any further Friendly Fire incidents that may have involved UK and US personnel. There is no indication that the evidence of any US personnel has been withheld from UK representatives or that US personnel have been denied permission to participate in the inquiries.