HL Deb 02 February 2004 vol 656 cc75-6WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have been consulted about the conditions of captivity of Saddam Hussein, other Baathist leaders and military commanders; and whether British personnel are among their interrogators. [HL739]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)

Conditions of captivity are a matter for the detaining power, which in the case of Saddam Hussein is the United States. Some individuals are held on the UK's behalf by the United States under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding governing transfers of prisoners. The UK remains responsible for these individuals and has access to the facilities in which they are being held.

The UK is also able to interrogate some prisoners for which we are not the detaining power where information might be obtained that enhances the security of the multi-national force in Iraq. Interrogations are conducted in accordance with all legal obligations.