HL Deb 08 September 2003 vol 652 cc44-5WA
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 16 July (WA 125), what were the nationalities of:

(a) the single prisoner of war; and (b) the 71 other persons captured by British forces; and how many of the 71 other persons were on 15 July interned for imperative reasons of security. [HL4209]

Lord Bach

On 15 July, the single prisoner of war and the 71 other persons captured by British forces were all Iraqi. All the 71 persons were being interned for imperative reasons of security.

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 16 July (WA 125), for how much longer they expect to keep without trial the 71 persons captured by British forces interned for imperative reasons of security; and how and by whom they expect the prisoners to be tried if they are not released. [HL4210]

Lord Bach

Of the 71 persons held for imperative reasons of security on 15 July, 49 have already been released. The remainder will be held until it is assessed that their internment is no longer necessary for reasons of security, all cases are subject to regular review. In cases where there is evidence to suggest that a criminal offence has been committed, persons captured by United Kingdom forces are handed to the Iraqi judicial system. If internment is based on intelligence material that justifies internment, the case will not be suitable for trial, although cases will be subject to regular review.